Dental Emergency Care in Bedford, NH
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Call Us First — 603-625-6456
If you're experiencing a dental emergency during office hours, call us right away. We prioritize urgent needs whenever possible and can often see patients the same day. Existing patients of the practice receive priority scheduling for emergencies; new patients are welcome to call as well.
For emergencies outside of office hours, or for injuries involving significant facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, please seek immediate care at your nearest emergency room.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any sudden problem that causes significant pain, bleeding, or damage to your teeth or existing dental work — and requires prompt attention to prevent it from getting worse. Common dental emergencies include broken or failing crowns, dislodged dental implants, cracked or knocked-out teeth, severe tooth pain, acute infections, and lost or damaged bridges, veneers, or dentures.
At Bedford Center for Prosthodontics, Dr. Paul Connolly provides specialist-level emergency care for patients across Bedford, Manchester, Merrimack, and surrounding New Hampshire communities. As a board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Connolly is uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat emergencies involving complex restorations and implant-supported dental work — situations where specialist training makes a meaningful difference in the outcome.
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Common Restorative Dental Emergencies
Broken or Failing Dental Crown
A dental crown can crack, chip, or come loose — sometimes from a hard bite, sometimes from underlying tooth structure weakening over time. Whether the crown fell off completely or is loose but still in place, prompt evaluation prevents damage to the underlying tooth and allows Dr. Connolly to determine whether the existing crown can be re-cemented or needs to be replaced.
Failing or Broken Dental Bridge
A failing dental bridge — whether from a broken porcelain surface, a debonded anchor, or damage to the underlying teeth — should be evaluated quickly. Depending on the condition, the bridge may be repairable, or it may be time to discuss more permanent alternatives like implant-supported restorations.
Dislodged or Failing Dental Implant
Dental implants have a success rate above 95%, but problems can occasionally develop — a loose implant crown, an inflamed or infected implant site, or a rare case of implant failure. Because implant emergencies require specialist assessment to properly diagnose, Dr. Connolly's prosthodontic training and in-house CBCT imaging allow for accurate, same-visit evaluation of what's happening.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth ranges from a minor cosmetic issue to a painful emergency exposing the tooth's inner nerve. The right treatment depends on the severity — from a simple bonding or filling to a full crown, and in more serious cases, an extraction followed by planning for a dental implant replacement.
Severe Toothache or Tooth Pain
Sudden, severe tooth pain often indicates an underlying problem — decay reaching the nerve, an abscess, a cracked tooth, or an infection near an existing restoration. Prompt evaluation identifies the cause and prevents the problem from worsening. Over-the-counter pain relief may help temporarily, but persistent pain should always be evaluated in person.
Loose or Broken Denture
A broken or ill-fitting denture can make eating and speaking difficult. Depending on the damage, we can often repair the denture, reline it for a better fit, or discuss alternatives like implant-supported dentures if the underlying issue is more significant.
Broken or Dislodged Veneer
A porcelain veneer that has chipped, cracked, or fallen off requires prompt attention to protect the underlying tooth and preserve your smile aesthetics. If you still have the veneer, bring it with you — in some cases it can be re-bonded.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
A completely knocked-out permanent tooth may be able to be re-implanted if you act quickly. Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it in milk or saline (not water), and if possible, place it back in the socket. If that's not possible, keep it in milk or between your cheek and gum and call our office immediately. Time matters — the sooner the tooth is treated, the better the chance of saving it.
What to Do Before You Arrive
Depending on your specific emergency, a few steps can help manage the situation while you're on the way to our office:
- For a lost crown or veneer: Keep the restoration and bring it with you — it can often be re-cemented.
- For a knocked-out tooth: Keep the tooth moist in milk or saliva; time is critical.
- For severe pain or swelling: Take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label; a cold compress on the outside of the cheek can reduce swelling.
- For a cracked or broken tooth: Rinse gently with warm water; avoid chewing on that side; save any tooth fragments if possible.
- For an infected or abscessed tooth: Do not delay — infections can spread and become serious. Call us as soon as possible.
- For a broken denture: Bring all pieces with you; don't attempt to glue the denture yourself, as household adhesives can prevent proper repair.
Why Specialist Care Matters for Restorative Emergencies
Not every dental emergency needs a specialist — but many involve complex restorations that benefit significantly from prosthodontic training and advanced diagnostic technology.
As a board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Connolly completed three additional years of residency training focused specifically on the restoration of damaged teeth and complex dental work. That training is especially valuable when the emergency involves:
- Failing or damaged crowns, bridges, or veneers
- Dental implant complications
- Complex extractions where implant replacement is being considered
- Bite problems following a failed restoration
- Full-mouth reconstructions that develop problems over time
- Cracked teeth requiring careful assessment of restorability
The practice's in-house diagnostic technology — including Cone Beam CT imaging, RayFace 3D facial scanning, and digital impressions — allows for same-day diagnosis of complex issues that would otherwise require multiple appointments to evaluate.
What to Expect at Your Emergency Visit
Immediate Evaluation
Your first priority is comfort and understanding. Dr. Connolly evaluates the emergency, uses diagnostic imaging as needed, and explains what's happening in plain language before recommending any treatment.
Same-Day Options When Possible
Many restorative emergencies can be addressed the same day — a re-cemented crown, a broken tooth stabilized, a bridge repaired, or a temporary restoration placed to protect the area until a permanent solution can be designed.
Sedation for Comfort
For patients experiencing significant anxiety or discomfort, sedation options including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation are available.
A Clear Plan Forward
If the emergency reveals a larger underlying issue — a failing series of older restorations, significant bone loss, or the need for full-mouth planning — Dr. Connolly outlines a step-by-step recovery plan with transparent pricing and no pressure to commit immediately.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any sudden dental problem causing significant pain, bleeding, or damage — including broken teeth, lost crowns or bridges, dislodged implants, severe toothache, abscesses, or knocked-out teeth. If in doubt, call our office and describe what's happening — we can help determine whether you need to be seen immediately or can wait for a routine appointment.
Do you accept dental emergencies from patients of other practices?
Yes. While existing patients receive priority scheduling, we welcome new patients experiencing emergencies — particularly those involving complex restorations, implants, or specialist-level dental work where our expertise is most valuable.
What should I do if my crown falls off?
Keep the crown in a safe place and bring it to your appointment — it can often be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until the crown is replaced. Do not use household glue to reattach it, as it can damage both the crown and the underlying tooth.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Sometimes, yes — but time is critical. Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it in milk or saliva (not water), and either place it back in the socket or store it in milk. Call our office immediately. The best outcomes typically occur when re-implantation happens within 30 to 60 minutes.
Is a severe toothache always an emergency?
Not always — but severe or persistent pain almost always indicates an underlying problem that needs prompt attention. Untreated infections can spread beyond the tooth and become more serious. If pain is severe, worsening, or accompanied by swelling or fever, don't wait — call our office right away.
What should I do if my dental implant feels loose?
A loose implant should be evaluated as soon as possible. In many cases, only the crown attached to the implant is loose and can be re-secured. In other cases, the implant itself may need assessment. Because implant emergencies benefit significantly from specialist evaluation and CBCT imaging, prompt attention gives you the best outcome.
Are dental emergencies covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and the specific treatment needed. Many plans cover emergency evaluations and common restorative treatments. Our team will help verify your benefits and provide transparent pricing before any treatment begins.
Can I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
Emergency rooms can provide pain relief and antibiotics for infections, but they typically cannot repair, restore, or replace dental work — that requires a dental office. For pure dental emergencies during our office hours, calling us first is usually faster and more effective. For facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or breathing difficulty, always go to the ER first.
How much does emergency dental care cost?
Costs vary widely based on the specific emergency and the treatment required. Simple repairs like re-cementing a crown are typically far less than a full replacement. Our team provides transparent, itemized pricing before any treatment begins, and we work with most major insurance plans.
What are your emergency hours?
We handle emergencies during regular office hours whenever possible, and prioritize urgent cases for same-day scheduling. For emergencies outside of office hours, or for situations involving significant facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, please seek immediate care at your nearest emergency room.
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