When Dental Pain Can’t Wait: A Guide to Emergency Oral Surgery

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Fluckiger, DMD

Reading time: five minutes.

Dental pain can strike without warning, and when it does, you need to know when to seek emergency dental care.

This guide will help you understand what counts as a dental emergency, how to respond, and what to expect when you visit an oral surgeon.

If you have sustained an injury to your mouth, jaw, or face, call (480) 830-5866 or proceed to your nearest emergency room.

AZ Max Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons offer emergency oral surgery services in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Show Low and Tempe, AZ. 

Table of Contents

• What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
• Situations Requiring Emergency Oral Surgery
  • 1. Facial Trauma or Jaw Fractures
  • 2. Wisdom Tooth Emergencies
  • 3. Oral and Facial Lacerations
  • 4. Dental Implant Failure or Loose Implants
• Immediate Home Remedies To Deal With Pain
• Why Choose AZ Max for Emergency Oral Surgery?
• When to Seek Emergency Care
• Contact AZ Max For Emergency Dental Care

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Emergency oral surgery refers to urgent surgical procedures performed by an oral surgeon to treat serious injuries or complications involving the teeth, jaw, and surrounding facial structures.

These situations often arise from trauma or complications after prior dental procedures and require the advanced training and surgical expertise of an oral surgeon.

You should consider seeking emergency dental care if you are experiencing:

• Severe pain that does not improve with over-the-counter pain medications
• Uncontrolled bleeding from the gums, lips, or tongue
• Facial swelling or extreme swelling around the jaw
• A broken tooth that is causing sharp pain or sensitivity
• A loose dental implant or dental implant failure

Let’s walk through the most common emergency situations and what to do.

Situations Requiring Emergency Oral Surgery

Here are some of the most common dental emergencies:

1. Facial Trauma or Jaw Fractures

• Signs: Misaligned bite, extreme facial swelling, or difficulty opening the jaw.
• What to do: Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and seek an emergency appointment immediately.
• Treatment options: Jaw stabilization with plates, screws, or wiring; soft tissue repair.

2. Wisdom Tooth Emergencies

• Signs: Severe pain, wisdom tooth infection, or swelling around the affected area.
• What to do: Warm water rinses can ease discomfort temporarily.
• Treatment options: Emergency wisdom tooth extraction or infection management.

3. Oral and Facial Lacerations

• Signs: Bleeding from deep cuts in the lips, tongue, gums, or face.
• What to do: Apply firm pressure with a clean piece of gauze or cloth to control bleeding.
• Treatment options: Wound wash out and precise suturing to minimize scarring and restore function.

4. Dental Implant Failure or Loose Implants

• Signs: A loose dental implant, pain near the implant site, or gum tissue irritation.
• What to do: Avoid touching or wiggling the implant. Schedule a same-day emergency appointment.
• Treatment options: Re-stabilization, removal, or bone grafting to support future implants.

Immediate Home Remedies To Deal With Pain

While waiting for emergency dental care, try these remedies:

• Cold compress: Apply for 10-15 minutes to reduce swelling.
• Warm saltwater rinses: For injuries in the mouth. Helps cleanse the area and soothe injured gum tissue.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.

🚫 Avoid heating pads, which can worsen facial swelling.

These temporary measures can reduce discomfort, but they do not replace professional treatment.

Why Choose AZ Max for Emergency Oral Surgery?

We provide prompt, expert care for dental emergencies that involve the jaw, facial and oral soft tissues,  or restorations like dental implants. Here is why patients trust us:

• Experienced oral surgeons: Our specialists handle maxillofacial emergencies, complex facial trauma, and severe oral health issues.
• Multiple locations: We have convenient offices in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Show Low, and Tempe.
• Hospital privileges: For severe cases, our surgeons can perform necessary surgeries  in a hospital setting.
• Same-day appointments: We offer same-day emergency appointments to address urgent conditions.

When to Seek Emergency Care

You should contact an emergency oral surgeon immediately if you experience:

• Severe pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication.
• Bleeding that will not stop even after applying firm, direct pressure.
• Facial bone or jaw misalignment following trauma.
• Soft tissue injury with deep cuts or exposed gum tissue.

Proceed to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you experience extreme swelling that impairs your ability to breath or swallow. 

Contact AZ Max For Emergency Dental Care

If you have sustained an injury to your mouth, jaw, or face, call (480) 830-5866 or proceed to your nearest emergency room. 

For all other inquiries or to book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe or Show Low, call (480) 830-5866 or complete the online inquiry form.