You don't need to diagnose it yourself. Call, describe what happened, and we'll tell you what to do next. Smile Center Dentistry reserves same-day capacity specifically for dental emergencies.
A voicemail doesn't fix a knocked-out tooth. A live person who can triage does. A real person answering the phone at the worst moment matters more than most people realize until they need it.
We assess severity over the phone first — not every situation needs an immediate trip, and we'll tell you honestly. We'd rather triage accurately than tell everyone to rush in regardless of severity.
Same-day emergency capacity is built into our daily schedule, not something we scramble to find. We plan for emergencies every single day, not just when it's convenient for us.
We keep emergency supplies on hand for avulsed teeth, cracked crowns, and abscess drainage. Nothing gets delayed waiting on a supply order when minutes actually matter.
You'll hear the likely cost range during phone triage, before you even walk in the door. Emergencies are stressful enough without a surprise bill on top of it.
If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, call — that's what triage is for.
Rinse it gently, keep it moist, and get here fast; we'll assess whether re-implantation is viable. We'll walk you through what to do with the tooth while you're still on the way.
From a hairline crack to a tooth broken at the gumline, we assess the damage and stabilize it same-day. Temporary restoration is often possible the same visit, with a permanent fix scheduled after.
Facial swelling combined with tooth pain often signals infection that needs same-day drainage and antibiotics. We'll tell you clearly if this needs emergency-room-level care instead of a dental visit.
Pain that's sharp, throbbing, or keeps you up at night usually points to something that needs same-day attention, not a wait-and-see approach. Pain management starts the moment you're in the chair.
If the underlying tooth is fine, a lost restoration is usually a quick same-day fix, not a multi-visit ordeal. We schedule the permanent replacement once the emergency is stabilized.
We check for jaw fracture signs alongside any tooth trauma, referring out immediately if something looks beyond a dental scope. We're honest when a case needs an ER or oral surgeon instead of a dental chair.
Our staff asks a few quick questions to gauge severity before telling you what to do next.
If it's not urgent enough for today, we'll still get you in fast, usually within a day or two.
Digital X-rays and a hands-on exam pinpoint the problem the moment you arrive.
You leave with pain addressed and a clear plan, not just a temporary patch and no explanation.
"Called in a panic after my son's tooth got knocked out. They stayed calm and walked us through everything on the phone."
"Swelling in my jaw scared me, but they got me in same-day and it turned out to be treatable without an ER trip."
"They stabilized my broken tooth the same afternoon I called, no multi-day wait."
"Lost a crown right before a work trip. They fit me in and had it replaced before I flew out."
"Called at 7am panicking and they had someone at the desk immediately, not a machine."
Most emergencies are seen the same day if you call before mid-afternoon. We'll always tell you honestly if today isn't possible and what the next best option is.
Handle it by the crown, not the root, rinse gently if dirty, and try to keep it moist — in milk or your own saliva if possible. Every minute counts, so call while you're already on the way if possible.
An abscess can become dangerous if ignored, so we treat swelling with pain as a priority case. Don't wait to see if it goes away on its own — infection rarely resolves without treatment.
No — pricing is quoted upfront during phone triage, the same transparent approach as any scheduled visit. Transparent pricing applies whether you booked weeks ago or called us in a panic an hour ago.
Call +1-866-227-2801 anyway — our line is monitored, and we'll advise whether to come in or if it can wait until morning. After-hours doesn't mean unavailable; it just means a different response path depending on urgency.
We're honest on the phone if something is beyond what a dental office should handle. When in doubt, call us first — we can help you decide quickly which direction to go.
Smile Center Dentistry's emergency line covers Southern Pines and the surrounding Southern Pines, NC communities, with same-day capacity reserved daily. Response times stay short because we don't overbook our emergency capacity across too wide an area.
Licensed, equipped, and ready — call now and talk to a real person, not a menu.
Call +1-866-227-2801