Emergency Dentist in Wilmington, NC | Same-Day Visits
Here for you when it matters most
Thrive Family Dental offers same-day emergency dental appointments in Wilmington. Call (910) 240-4797 for help with toothaches, knocked-out or broken teeth, lost crowns, and dental infections. Dr. Ben Friberg and our team will help relieve your pain and protect your smile.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ben Friberg, DDS, Thrive Family Dental · Wilmington, NC.
Last updated July 2026
Should I go to the ER for a toothache?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room when a dental problem involves:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Major trauma to the face or jaw
- Rapidly spreading swelling toward the eye, neck, or throat
- Severe swelling accompanied by signs of serious illness
These symptoms may require hospital care before dental treatment.
For tooth pain, a broken tooth, a lost restoration, or swelling that is not affecting your breathing or swallowing, call Thrive Family Dental first.
¿Ofrecen atención dental de emergencia en español?
Sí, hablamos español. Llama a Thrive Family Dental al (910) 240-4797 y nuestro dentista de emergencia en Wilmington te atenderá en tu idioma: evaluaremos tus síntomas, te explicaremos qué hacer de inmediato y te programaremos una cita el mismo día cuando sea posible.
We provide emergency dental care in Spanish call (910) 240-4797.
What should I do right now?
Find your situation below, follow the recommended steps, and call (910) 240-4797. A team member will walk you through managing things until your appointment.
Knocked-out tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate dental care.
1. Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
2. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly and gently. Do not scrub it or remove attached tissue.
3. When possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket without forcing it.
4. If you cannot replace it, keep it moist in cold milk or an approved tooth-preservation solution.
5. Call us immediately and bring the tooth with you.
Do not attempt to place a knocked-out baby tooth back into its socket. Call us for instructions instead. The best chance of saving a knocked-out permanent tooth comes from receiving treatment as quickly as possible, preferably within approximately 30 minutes.
Severe toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the painful tooth to remove trapped food. Do not place aspirin, pain medication, or numbing products directly against the tooth or gums unless a dental professional instructs you to do so.
Use a cold compress outside the cheek if swelling is present, and call us for an evaluation.
A severe toothache can be caused by decay, a cracked tooth, an inflamed nerve, gum disease, or infection. It does not automatically mean the tooth must be removed.
Broken or chipped tooth
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Save any tooth fragments you can find and bring them to your appointment.
Place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek if there is pain or swelling. Avoid chewing on the injured side until a dentist evaluates the tooth.
Signs of infection or abscess
Call us promptly if you have:
- Throbbing tooth pain
- Gum or facial swelling
- A pimple-like bump on the gums
- A persistent bad taste
- Pain when biting
- Fever or a general feeling of illness
Dental infections require professional treatment. Antibiotics may sometimes be necessary, but medication alone does not always remove the source of the infection. Seek emergency medical care if swelling makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, spreads toward your eye or neck, or becomes rapidly worse.
Something stuck between your teeth
Try to remove the object gently with dental floss. Do not use pins, knives, or other sharp objects. Call us if floss does not remove it or if the area remains painful.
Lost filling or crown
Save the crown if you still have it and bring it to your appointment. Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, and very hot or cold foods on that side of your mouth.
Do not use household glue to reattach a crown. Even when the tooth does not hurt, it should be examined because the exposed structure may be vulnerable to damage or decay.
What happens during an emergency dental visit?
1. We assess your symptoms
When you call, a team member will ask what happened, when the symptoms began, and whether you have swelling, bleeding, fever, or an injury.
Based on your answers, we’ll explain what to do next and how urgently you need to be seen.
2. We schedule the earliest appropriate visit
Same-day emergency appointments are available when the schedule allows. Call as early as possible so we have the best opportunity to accommodate you.
Urgent dental injuries, swelling, and severe pain are prioritized based on clinical need.
3. We identify the source of the problem
Dr. Friberg will examine the affected area and may take digital X-rays to determine whether the problem involves the tooth, nerve, gums, bone, or an existing restoration.
4. We relieve pain and explain your options
The immediate goal is to make you more comfortable and prevent the problem from getting worse.
Emergency dental care for anxious patients
Dental pain can feel even more overwhelming when you are anxious about visiting the dentist. Thrive Family Dental was designed to help patients feel safe, supported, and free from judgment.
Comfort options may include:
- Weighted eye masks
- Blankets
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Netflix
- Spacious treatment rooms
- Deep-pressure support from MEADOW, our Rehabilitative Facility Dog
It does not matter how long it has been since your last dental visit. We’ll focus on relieving your immediate problem and helping you move forward one step at a time.
Depending on the diagnosis, emergency treatment may include
-
Repairing a chipped or broken tooth
-
Replacing or stabilizing a restoration
-
Treating an infection
-
Stabilizing an injured tooth
-
Removing a tooth that cannot be predictably saved
You’ll receive a clear explanation of the recommended treatment, alternatives, costs, and expected outcome before treatment begins.
Call an emergency dentist in Wilmington, NC
Do not wait for dental pain or swelling to become more severe.
Call Thrive Family Dental at (910) 240-4797 for an emergency dental appointment in Wilmington, NC. Our office is located at:
8115 Market Street, Suite 204
Wilmington, NC 28411
We serve emergency dental patients from Wilmington, Porters Neck, Ogden, Hampstead, Wrightsville Beach, Leland, and surrounding communities.
Paying for emergency dental care
You do not need dental insurance to receive emergency care at Thrive Family Dental.
Before treatment, our team will explain:
- The cost of the recommended care
- What your insurance may cover
- Available financing options
- Any treatment alternatives
Emergency dentist FAQs
Do you offer same-day emergency dental appointments?
Yes. Thrive Family Dental offers same-day emergency appointments when availability allows. Call (910) 240-4797 as early as possible so our team can assess your symptoms and find the earliest appropriate appointment.
Our regular hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Friday visits available by appointment.
Should I go to the emergency room for a toothache?
Most toothaches should be treated by a dentist because emergency rooms generally cannot provide definitive treatment for the affected tooth.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, or rapidly spreading swelling. Otherwise, call an emergency dentist for an evaluation.
How quickly should I act after knocking out a tooth?
Call a dentist immediately. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved when it is treated promptly, preferably within approximately 30 minutes.
Handle it only by the crown and keep it moist in milk or an approved tooth-preservation solution while traveling to the office. Never replant a knocked-out baby tooth.
Does a severe toothache mean I need an extraction?
Not necessarily. Depending on the cause, the tooth may be treated with a filling, crown, root canal, periodontal treatment, or another restorative procedure.
Dr. Friberg will evaluate the tooth and explain whether it can be predictably saved before recommending an extraction.
Can you treat a dental infection with antibiotics?
Antibiotics may be appropriate when an infection is spreading or causing systemic symptoms, but they do not always eliminate the source of the infection. Definitive dental treatment may also be needed to drain the infection or treat the affected tooth.
Can I receive emergency care without dental insurance?
Yes. Thrive Family Dental sees emergency patients with or without dental insurance. Our team will explain treatment costs and available financing options before care begins.
¿Atienden emergencias dentales en español?
Sí. Llame al (910) 240-4797. Nuestro equipo puede atenderle en español, evaluar sus síntomas y explicarle los próximos pasos.
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Do you suffer from dental anxiety? Your smile is safe here. Thrive Family Dental is a calm space with kind people. No rush and no pressure. Enjoy complimentary comfort add-ons proven to reduce fear and put you at ease.
Se habla Español. ¿Prefieres español? Llámanos al (910) 240-4797 y con gusto te atendemos.
8115 Market St.
Suite 204
Wilmington, NC 28411
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Monday–Thursday: 8am–4pm
Friday: By Appointment
