Dental emergencies don't wait for convenient times. Casco Bay Smiles makes every effort to see patients in pain the same day they call — serving Falmouth, Portland, and the greater Casco Bay area.
Same-Day Emergency Appointments
When you call (207) 517-7008 with a dental emergency, our team will ask a few quick questions to understand what happened, walk you through first-aid steps over the phone, and get you scheduled — same-day whenever possible.
Your first emergency visit has two goals: get you out of pain and stabilize the problem. Dr. McVety will examine the area, take digital X-rays to see what's happening below the gumline, relieve the immediate discomfort, and explain your options before any treatment begins. Some emergencies are resolved in a single visit; others are stabilized first, with definitive treatment planned once the pain is under control.
If your emergency happens outside office hours, call anyway and follow the voicemail instructions — and for any symptom that threatens your overall health, go straight to the emergency room.
Common Dental Emergencies We Treat
Severe toothache — Persistent, throbbing tooth pain usually signals an infection or deep decay that has reached the nerve. It will not resolve on its own, and waiting typically makes treatment more involved.
Knocked-out tooth — A knocked-out adult tooth can often be saved if it's re-implanted quickly — ideally within 30 to 60 minutes. This is the most time-sensitive emergency in dentistry.
Broken, cracked, or chipped tooth — Even when a fracture doesn't hurt, it can expose the inner tooth to bacteria. Prompt repair prevents a cosmetic problem from becoming a root canal.
Lost filling or crown — The exposed tooth underneath is vulnerable and often sensitive. With in-office milling, Dr. McVety can frequently replace a lost crown with a permanent new one the same day.
Dental abscess — A pimple-like swelling on the gums, facial swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth can indicate an abscess — a pocket of infection that needs professional drainage and treatment. Never try to pop an abscess yourself.
Soft tissue injuries — Cuts to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue that won't stop bleeding after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure should be evaluated promptly.
What to Do Before You Reach Our Office
For a knocked-out tooth: Handle the tooth by the crown — never the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water (don't scrub). Try to place it back in the socket; if that's not possible, keep it in a cup of milk or tucked between your cheek and gum, and come in immediately.
For a toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and gently floss around the tooth to dislodge any trapped food. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek helps with swelling. Don't place aspirin directly on the gums — it burns the tissue.
For a broken tooth: Save any pieces you can find, rinse your mouth with warm water, and apply a cold compress to limit swelling.
For a lost crown or filling: Keep the crown if you have it — it can sometimes be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on that side until you're seen.
For swelling or suspected abscess: Apply a cold compress and call us right away. If swelling spreads toward your eye or throat, or makes breathing or swallowing difficult, go to the emergency room first.
Emergency Room or Emergency Dentist?
Hospital emergency rooms can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they generally cannot repair teeth — most ERs have no dentist on staff. For a toothache, broken tooth, lost crown, or knocked-out tooth, an emergency dentist will resolve the actual problem faster and at lower cost.
Go to the ER first if you have:
• A suspected broken or dislocated jaw • Bleeding that won't stop with pressure • Swelling that affects your breathing, swallowing, or vision • A high fever with facial swelling
For everything else, call Casco Bay Smiles first — we'll tell you honestly whether you need to be seen immediately, today, or this week.
Comfortable Care, Even in a Crisis
A dental emergency is stressful enough — treatment shouldn't add to it. Patients with dental anxiety can take advantage of nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation, even for emergency visits.
Because Casco Bay Smiles mills crowns in-office, many broken teeth that would require two visits and a temporary crown elsewhere are permanently restored the same day. And every treatment room includes noise-canceling headphones, cozy neck wraps, and HDTVs — small comforts that matter most when you arrive in pain.