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Emergency Dentist in Toms River, NJ
Sun Dental provides same-day treatment for toothaches and broken teeth. Our team also treats knocked-out teeth and dental infections, with time reserved every day for patients requiring urgent attention.
Convenient care for the whole family
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for 11 years including 2025
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PPO plans & insurance accepted
Immediate Dental Care for Unexpected Emergencies
Toothaches are one of the most troubling situations because you cannot eat or drink. The inconvenience impacts your daily routine as you compromise on your diet. Some meals can become a risk because of cracked molars.
The front teeth of children can break if they fall. If that’s what happened, don’t panic. Many offices answer an emergency call with an opening weeks away. Sun Dental offers same-day emergency dentistry services in Toms River. Local residents can reach us quickly as we reserve time every day for urgent cases.
Our dentists bring over 32 years of experience and advanced sedation training to every case. Pain and fear often arrive together. As your emergency dentist in Toms River, NJ, we treat both.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is urgent dental care for problems that cause severe pain or risk of infection. It also covers damage that could cost a tooth if treatment waits. Common emergencies include toothaches and cracked or broken teeth.
Knocked-out teeth and dental abscesses also need prompt care. Lost fillings and crowns belong on the list too. Sun Dental offers emergency dental care services at 224 Route 37 East in Toms River, New Jersey. We have been treating patients across Ocean County, including Brick and Jackson.
Common Dental Emergencies We Handle in Toms River, NJ
Emergency dentistry is not limited to broken teeth. There are multiple dental problems common in New Jersey that our dentists treat with utmost care.
Severe Toothache Treatment
Did you know toothache is behind 15 million working days lost annually in the United States alone? A strong toothache may indicate pulpitis. Pulpitis means the soft nerve tissue inside the tooth has inflammation or swelling. The pain is triggered by hot or cold drinks, but it stays persistent. Our experts start with a periapical X-ray to help diagnose the problem. This image shows the whole tooth down to the root tip. We then most commonly treat the cause with a filling or crown, or root canal treatment. Removal is only the last option.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
A small crack is often a cosmetic problem, but deep cracks can cause health issues too. A crack that touches the pulp creates a pulp exposure. It provides an opportunity for bacterial growth in the nerve. Cracked tooth syndrome often causes a sharp pain when you release a bite. Are you looking for broken tooth repair in Toms River, NJ? Trust our team as we match the repair to the damage. Bonding and fillings are suitable for smaller breaks and a crown protects teeth with larger ones. Early treatment can help prevent further damage and preserve your tooth.
Knocked-Out or Loose Tooth
Dentists call a knocked-out tooth a tooth avulsion. A tooth that moves from its position but stays inside the mouth is known as a luxation. Both situations demand immediate care. We may place a soft splint, a thin bonded wire, to keep a repositioned tooth stable while the bone and gum heal. Call our office as soon as the injury happens. Keep a knocked-out adult tooth moist while you seek care. Quick action may improve the chance of saving it. Your dentist checks the root and surrounding tissues before deciding on the next step.
Dental Abscess and Facial Swelling
An abscess is a pocket of bacteria at the root tip or along the gum. Common signs include a bad taste and a small bump on the gum. We provide dental abscess treatment in Toms River for people of all ages. Dental experts drain the infection and prescribe antibiotics when needed. We try our best to save the tooth with a root canal whenever possible. An increase in swelling needs urgent attention because a neglected abscess can progress into facial cellulitis. This is an infection that moves through the face and neck. Contact our dental team promptly if you notice signs of worsening swelling.
Lost Filling or Crown
A lost filling or crown emergency rarely hurts at first. The risk comes later, because exposed dentin may be sensitive or vulnerable to more damage. You should bring the crown to your visit and avoid household glue. Pharmacy dental cement may offer a short-term cover until your dentist can examine the tooth. Our team checks the remaining tooth and explains whether the filling or crown can be replaced. We also look for decay or damage that may affect the repair. The next step depends on how many healthy teeth remain and whether the original crown still fits.
Wisdom Tooth Pain & Post-Extraction
A lost filling or crown emergency rarely hurts at first. The risk comes later, because exposed dentin may be sensitive or vulnerable to more damage. You should bring the crown to your visit and avoid household glue. Pharmacy dental cement may offer a short-term cover until your dentist can examine the tooth. Our team checks the remaining tooth and explains whether the filling or crown can be replaced. We also look for decay or damage that may affect the repair. Next steps depend on your remaining healthy teeth and crown fit.
How to Handle Dental Emergencies
Anyone searching “knocked-out tooth what to do” should know that time matters most. The time a tooth spends outside the mouth is referred to as extra-alveolar time. UMass Memorial Health reports that replanting works best within 30 minutes of the injury.
What to Do With Severe Toothache or Broken Tooth?
Rinse with warm water and floss gently to clear any residue of food. Save any broken pieces in a clean container. Hold a cold pack against the cheek to decrease swelling. Never place an aspirin tablet on the gum, because it burns the tissue.
What to Do If Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out
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Pick Up the Tooth by Its Crown
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top end of the tooth). Do not touch the root.
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Rinse Gently
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub it.
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Reposition If Possible
For a knocked-out permanent tooth, gently try to place it back into the socket without forcing it. Bite gently on clean gauze to keep it in place.
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Keep the Tooth Moist
If you cannot reposition the permanent tooth, place it in a container of milk while seeking dental care.
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Avoid Storing It in Tap Water
Never store the knocked-out tooth in tap water, as it can damage the cells on the root.
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Seek Immediate Dental Care
Contact our dental office immediately and come in as soon as possible. Time is critical for saving a knocked-out permanent tooth.
Important: Baby Teeth
Do not push a knocked-out baby tooth back into its socket. This can harm the developing permanent tooth underneath. Seek prompt dental advice.
When to Visit an Emergency Dentist vs. the ER
Go to the ER or Call 911
Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any of these serious warning signs:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling spreading toward the eye or neck
- High fever with facial swelling
- A possible broken jaw
- Continued bleeding despite steady pressure
Important: Do not wait for a dental appointment if you have difficulty breathing, swallowing, or rapidly spreading swelling.
Call 911Contact Sun Dental First
Contact our dental office promptly for urgent dental problems without medical emergency warning signs:
- Severe toothache
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Knocked-out permanent tooth
- Lost filling or crown
- Localized mild swelling or dry socket
Need urgent dental care? Call our office as soon as possible. A knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate attention.
Call (732) 341-9111Cost and Insurance for Emergency Dentistry in Toms River, NJ
Treatment cost depends on the type of repair and the tooth involved. A simple filling generally costs less than a root canal. Your insurance coverage can also change the final amount.
Early treatment usually costs less overall. A root canal today often costs less than an extraction followed by a dental implant later.
What Happens at Your Emergency Visit
Sun Dental offers urgent dental care in Toms River following these four clear steps.
Initial Contact
Our team asks where it hurts and how long the pain has lasted. We also ask about swelling or fever.
Examination and X-ray
A periapical X-ray shows the root and surrounding bone. After an injury, we check nearby teeth as well.
Pain Relief
Dentists call this palliative treatment. It may involve draining an abscess or opening the tooth to release pressure.
Lasting Repair
We explain your options and timeline before any major treatment begins.
Sedation for Anxious Emergency Patients
For patients with dental fear, an emergency can feel overwhelming. That is why we built our practice around sedation dentistry. Dr. Robert McTaggart holds a Fellowship from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He also has operating room privileges at Monmouth Medical Center. Dr. Leonard Giles holds master’s status in the College of Sedation.
Available Sedation Options
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedation option that can help patients feel more relaxed during dental treatment.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation involves medication taken by mouth as prescribed to help manage dental anxiety.
IV Sedation
IV sedation delivers sedative medication through a vein during treatment, with appropriate monitoring.
Emergency Dentist For NJ Patients Across Ocean County
Our office sits at 224 Route 37 East, near the Ocean County Courthouse and minutes from the Community Medical Center. Free parking is available in front of the office.
Communities We Serve
- Toms River
- Brick
- Jackson
- Seaside Heights
- Lavallette
- Beachwood
- Pine Beach
- Berkeley Township
- Manchester
We reserve time each day for dental
emergencies. Call us for same-day care.
Summer brings a steady rise in shore-related dental injuries. Boardwalk falls and bike accidents are common causes. Anyone looking for an emergency dentist near Toms River can usually see our team the same day.
Meet the team behind your smile
Thomas Hada
DDS • Dentist in Toms River, NJ
Dr. Thomas Hada graduated from Toms River High School North in 1978. He attended Muhlenberg College and then graduated from Georgetown University with Honors in 1986. He attended a post-graduate dental residency in Hartford, CT. He completed a post-graduate dental residency in Hartford, CT. Dr. Hada was awarded Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1995 and Mastership in 2003.
Dr. Hada has two adult children. He is active in the Academy of General Dentistry Board of Directors at the state level. Photography, video production, and guitar are his artistic interests. Scuba and a variety of sports are his current physical pursuits.
Robert McTaggart
DMD • Dentist in Toms River, NJ
Dr. Robert McTaggart graduated from Rutgers University in 1992 and the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in 1998. He completed a residency at Hackensack University Medical Center. He is a member of the American Dental Association®, holds a Fellowship from the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, is a Diplomat in the National Dental Board of Anesthesia, and is an attending physician at Monmouth Medical Center with Operating Room privileges.
Dr. McTaggart is married, has a daughter, and lives in Red Bank. He is also an avid musician, golfer, and skier.
Leonard Giles
DMD • Dentist in Toms River, NJ
Dr. Leonard Giles graduated with a B.S. degree from Waynesburg University and obtained his dental degree in 1977 from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine). He is a member of the American Dental Association® and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He has achieved master’s status in the College of Sedation.
Dr. Giles is a long-time resident of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. He has been the Chairperson of his town’s Local Board of Health for 10 years and serves as commissioner and Vice President of the Monmouth Regional Health Commission. Dr. Giles is also the President of the Jersey Shore Regional Health Commission. He is an avid skier, golfer, runner, and outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask about Emergency Dentist.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any mouth problem that causes severe pain or damage that could cost a tooth. Heavy bleeding and spreading swelling also qualify. Common examples include a knocked-out tooth and a dental abscess. A broken tooth or lost crown also needs prompt care.
Can Sun Dental see me the same day?
Sun Dental reserves time every day for dental emergencies. Contacting the office early gives the best chance of a same-day visit. The team reviews your symptoms first to decide how quickly you need care.
How fast should I act for a knocked-out tooth?
For a knocked-out adult tooth, the first 30 minutes matter most, because root cells begin to die once they dry out. Hold the tooth by the crown and keep it moist in milk or in the socket. See a dentist right away, and never store the tooth in tap water.
Should I go to the ER or an emergency dentist in Toms River?
Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing. The same applies to swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck. For toothaches and broken teeth, a dentist is the better choice. Most hospital ERs can manage pain and infection but cannot repair or save the tooth.
Is emergency dental treatment painful?
Most emergency treatment begins with a local anesthetic, which numbs the area fully. Patients with dental anxiety can also choose sedation. Sun Dental offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation, with IV sedation available for more complex cases.
Do you treat dental emergencies in children?
Yes. Sun Dental treats children and adults of all ages. Baby teeth need a different approach than adult teeth, because an injury can harm the adult tooth forming underneath. Bring your child and any tooth pieces to the office as soon as possible.
Does dental insurance cover emergency visits?
Many PPO dental plans cover part of an emergency exam and X-rays. Coverage for treatment depends on your plan and your deductible. Sun Dental accepts many PPO plans and reviews benefits with each patient before treatment.
Get Emergency Dental Care in Toms River, New Jersey
Our team reserves time every day for emergencies. We find the cause and relieve the pain, then give you a clear plan for lasting repair. Contact your emergency dentist in Toms River, NJ today!