If you believe you are having a dental emergency, please contact us immediately at 978-454-5656. If it is outside of our office hours (M 8 a.m. 4 p.m, T/W 7 a.m. 7 p.m., TH 7 a.m. 5 p.m., F 7 a.m. 1 p.m.) or we were unable to answer the phone, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Dental emergencies follow the same payment guidelines as normal dental practices. For a list of our accepted insurance providers, forms of payment and all other payment information, visit our financial page or visit our office fees page to see how much preventative, cosmetic, or restorative procedures cost.

With all types of dental injuries, the sooner you treat them the better. So even if your dentist isnt around, or youre on the road, be sure to put in a call to a dental office right awayeven if its from the emergency room.

Explain the nature of the injury and the event that caused it and your dentist will help you decide what needs to be done and how soon. At Drum Hill Dental, even when were not in the office, one of the doctors is always on call and will get back to you quickly to review your situation.

If the tooth is still in the socket but looks as though its been pushed in, tipped or twisted, or starting to come out, you have an urgent situation. Although the injury is considered serious, you have a much better chance of keeping the tooth than if it had been avulsed (knocked out).

When a tooth has been completely knocked out it needs to be placed back in the socket (called replantation) within five minutes. The best person to do this is a trusted caregiver or athletic trainer, since youll need cooperation between the caregiver and the injured person.

Next, grasp the crown between your thumb and forefinger with the smooth flat surface facing you. Next, firmly seat the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place. For an upper tooth this requires placing your other hand on top of the persons head as you push, so you wont force their head back. If its a bottom tooth, use your other hand to support their jaw as you push the tooth into place. Dont worry about positioning the tooth perfectly, the dentist can always adjust it later.

You may find that the tooth lifts out of the socket a bit if you let go too soon. Thats because its being displaced by blood thats accumulated in the socket. So, apply sustained pressure until youre sure the tooth is in a stable position and the blood has been displaced.

Bleeding from the mouth or lip can usually be controlled by steady, direct pressure for 5 minutes by a caregiver. If the injured person cannot or will not cooperate with having the tooth replanted, or if severe damage to socket and/or adjacent teeth makes it impossible, dont panic. You can still control bleeding with direct pressure and transport the tooth.

NOTE: A recent survey showed that 80% of phys-ed teachers, school nurses, swimming pool attendants and parents of teenagers would be reluctant to replant an avulsed tooth. The main reason given was lack of knowledge and training. An avulsed permanent tooth is the only dental injury where immediate action affects long term results, with immediate replantation having positive lifelong consequences for tooth survival.

The major reason for this is that the health and normal eruption of the underlying permanent tooth can be affected. Replanting primary teeth can damage the developing permanent tooth by causing infection to spread to it or interfering with its ability to erupt normally.

Baby teeth act as guides for erupting permanent teeth. So, once a baby tooth is knocked out the most important issue is to retain the space it occupied. If the space isnt maintained, adjacent teeth will drift together and crowd out the underlying permanent tooth, making it impossible for it to erupt.

Therefore, more important than replantation is to see your dentist or pedodontist (childrens dentist) to determine how to maintain the space the baby tooth occupied. This may prevent the need for orthodontic treatment to regain space later.

Permanent (adult) tooth injuries: For a tooth thats been loosened or displaced, but is still in the socket, you still want to take care of it quickly. But, its less clear in this case whether the long term outcome is affected by a fast response. The injuries here involve parts of the tooth chipping or cracking or the tooth being displaced, so its mainly for the comfort of the individual that youll want to see a dentist within a few hours.

Since most of us arent used to seeing bleeding in the mouth, parents and care givers often decide to go to the emergency room. Even if thats where you go, its still wise to call your dentist from the ER to get advice on what treatment may be needed.

If youre so lucky as to have a dentist on hand with a full emergency kit, he or she will be able to stabilize the tooth right away. This is done by numbing the area, moving the tooth (or teeth) back into position, and either bonding them together or placing an orthodontic wire across the arch. Once their teeth are stabilized, athletes can safely get back in the game without affecting the long-term outcome of the injury.

Note: While less urgent than an avulsed tooth, teeth that have been displaced still need to be seen by a dentist. The longer theyre left untreated, the harder it will be to get them back into position (blood clotting in the socket makes repositioning difficult). Impact that drives a tooth too far INTO the socket can cause bone damage that makes it impossible to save the tooth. Either way, all teeth with these types of injuries will have to be splinted for 10 days to 3 months depending on the situation.

Primary (baby or deciduous) tooth injuries: No one wants to see a child in pain or bleeding, so a fast trip to the dentist is certainly appropriate. If a child cant bite together normally, call a dentist right away, since a tooth is probably displaced.

After they see the dentist or pedodontist (childrens dentist), provide the child with pain medication and rest. A visit to the dentist and a good nights sleep is often all thats needed for a child to feel better after a playground accident.

Chipped or fractured teeth: A chipped tooth is typically sensitive to temperature and touch. This may or may not indicate an exposed nerve. Once you chip the tooth enamel enough to expose dentin (the softer, yellow part of the tooth that lies underneath the enamel) you will almost always have some sensitivity. Thats because the dentin provides a channel to the inner part of the tooth where the actual nerve tissue lies. This inner chamber, called the pulp chamber, contains a blood supply as well as nerve tissue. If the chip is deep enough to expose it, pain and sensitivity are more intense and may drive a patient to seek treatment immediately.

A dentist will need to monitor the vitality of the dental nerve to check whether it is still living or has died as a result of trauma. This begins at 6 weeks after the injury and then periodically, usually at the six month checkup visits. Trauma to the nerve can take as long as 8 years to actually result in nerve death.

Chipped or fractured baby tooth: Treatment is similar to what would be done for an adult tooth for a mild or moderate fracture. If the fracture is severe, it may be handled differently depending on the proximity of the underlying permanent tooth. If the baby tooth cant be saved it may need to be removed.

Research shows clearly that immediate (within 5 minutes) tooth replacement by replantation is the key factor for long-term survival of knocked out (avulsed) teeth. Two other factors are also of importance:

1. The removal of the dental pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth) by a dentist within a few days, this tissue once separated from the body, will die and cause infection, unless it is removed and the space it occupied disinfected and filled. 2. The person's age at the time of injury the stage of growth, formation, and maturity of the teeth, roots, and jaw varies with age and can affect treatment decisions.

Beyond 5 minutes: Keeping the tooth in cold milk or in the patients mouth (in their own saliva) will prevent dehydration. But survival is more dependent on factors described previously than by the transport medium.

After five minutes, the tooth will no longer be recognized by the body. This severely limits the bodys ability to reconnect the tooth to socket. The tooth will ankylose (become fused with the bone) and over time, the body will resorb (dissolve) it.

More than 15 minutes: Long term outcome is less favorable beyond fifteen minutes and further delay causes a fusion of the tooth to bone (ankylosis) followed by gradual root resorption (dissolving away) and tooth loss over a number of years.

At or beyond 12 hours: Tooth survival is possible for a period for time, depending on circumstance and the age of the patient; but ankylosis (fusion of tooth to bone) and/or resorption are inevitable.

Bottom line: Any permanent tooth that is avulsed (completely knocked out), should be replanted as soon as possible. Teeth replanted in pre-adolescents typically show shorter survival times than replantations in young adults because of the impact of the growth process. These factors will influence the decision whether to treat or to remove a recently replanted tooth.

As a general rule the first obligation of any health professional is to relieve pain. This can often be accomplished immediately with topical anesthetics followed by local anesthesia, which will give several hours of relief, followed by taking pain killing and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

The answer varies depending on the dentist and the recommended treatment. Once your child is comfortable (see #3), your dentist should discuss all treatment options together with their risks, benefits and alternatives including costs.

Yes, people with upper front teeth that are very prominent or protruding are more likely to injure them, whether through sports or otherwise. The best defense is to wear a mouthguard for any activity where theres a risk of injury. The more definitive choice is orthodontic treatment (braces) to move the teeth into a better position.

Until he or she is finished growing and the jaw is finished developing, an adolescent is not a candidate for more long-term tooth replacement options (such as implants). However, the shortened survival rate is usually measured in years. So you can typically hang on to the injured tooth long enough to get through the developmental years and be ready to restore it for the long term when the time comes.

For one, baby teeth will be lost in the normal course of events. Second, and most important, is the risk to the underlying permanent (adult) tooth posed by replanting a baby tooth. Time and cost are factors as well. Replantation of baby teeth is not recommended by Pediatric Dentists.

At Drum Hill Dental, we understand the importance of making sure that you are comfortable and well cared for. Thats why we work hard to take a genuine and caring attitude and approach to you and your family. Whether you are here for a dental check-up and cleaning or something more, we will ensure your experience is a good one.

Dr. Daniel K Coleman is a compassionate and talented dentist specializing in periodontics and implant dentistry. He is an educator and lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Coleman has been recognized for his outstanding education and clinical capabilities. His passion for dentistry has led him to provide courses on periodontal health and surgical technique for dental professionals all over the world.

Dr. Stephen Comstock graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and received the Endowed Prize in Prosthodontics. Dr. Comstock had a previous career in architecture and was an illustrator for two medical textbooks including a handbook for periodontal disease control. He is passionate about oral health and in his spare time he enjoys exploring New England with his wife, son and three daughters.

Dr. Ristuccia focuses on patient comfort through thorough diagnosis and treatment planning allowing her to provide comprehensive care to her patients including a wide range of cosmetic and restorative dentistry, root canal therapy, teeth whitening, implants, veneers, teeth alignment, and crowns.

Dr. Hoge is committed to compassionate patient care. She aims to provide a positive patient experience and has a vested interest in working with emergency patients in pain and patients with high dental anxiety.

Everyone on staff is professionally trained yet has a genuine caring attitude and approach toward all or our patients. Whether you are here for a simple checkup and cleaningor require dental implants or Invisalign we will make sure your experience is a great one!

We offer a full range of services including bonding, cosmetic contouring, crowns and bridges, specialty dentures, cosmetic fillings, implants, veneers, teeth whitening, sealants, root canal treatment, extractions, scaling and root planing, cosmetic dentistry, and Invisalign.

Very friendly and professional staff and the quality of care is amazing. My experience was great but was also exceptional for my son. Dr. Ristuccia is very friendly and excellent with kids. She takes time to answer all the questions my 10yo asks her. Its not just a dental visit when we go, its an experience with a lot of learning. I highly recommend this place.

I have some bad dentist anxiety, but I have to say this office is wonderful! I'm having some not-so-fun work done with Dr. Coleman, and he has done the best job helping me feel safe by explaining the process and making me feel comfortable. The assistants and office staff are so kind, I just can't say enough what a positive experience they have made.

When my new dentist told me I needed implants I asked who he recommended. I am so happy I took his recommendation. From the initial intake and review of my options, I felt very comfortable, and respected, and the practice is very professional.

Absolutely loved my first visit. Beautiful new building with looks to be all new equipment.Everyone seemed so happy and very friendly. Left there with a big smile on my face and some nice clean teeth. Highly recommended.

The staff was pleasant and attentive. They took the time to answer all my questions. Thoroughly explained my treatment plan. Digital x-rays displayed on a large TV allowed me to see any issues as they were discussed.

This dentist's office has great positive energy. After having a different local dentist for nearly 20 years, switching to Dr. Comstock at Drum Hill Dental was a revelation. Their tools are modern; communication is clear, and treatment is exactly on point. Mostly, I appreciated being heard and treated with respect. I recommend Drum Hill Dental.

At Drum Hill Dental, we make it a priority to use the latest technology and sterilization processes to ensure you not only feel confident in the cleanliness and procedures of our office but that you can be assured that we have the latest dental solutions and equipment to take care of you as efficiently as possible while ensuring you are comfortable.

Intraoral cameras process information through computers and TV screens. Many patients, especially younger patients, are very familiar with the latest technology and are comfortable with high tech practice.

Dr. Daniel K. Coleman is a compassionate and talented dentist specializing in periodontics and implant dentistry. He is an educator and lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Coleman has been recognized for his outstanding education and clinical capabilities. His passion for dentistry has led him to provide courses on periodontal health and surgical technique for dental professionals all over the world.

Dr. Coleman is a graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts where he received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine, Post-doctoral Master of Science, Specialty training and Board Certification in Periodontics. During his residency, Dr. Coleman was privileged to serve as Chief Resident.

Dr. Coleman is a faculty member at the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine where he serves as a clinical instructor and lecturer in the Department of Periodontology. Recently, Harvard and the American Academy of Periodontology awarded Dr. Coleman with recognition as its Outstanding Educator of 2019. This award was given in part because Dr. Coleman serves as a speaker nationally and internationally to teach on topics of periodontal health and disease, additionally, he has co-authored a dental textbook entitled, Non-Surgical Control of Periodontal Diseases published in 2015 which is used in several dental programs to train new dentists. Among Dr. Colemans achievements, he was named one of Incisal Edge Magazines Top 40 under 40 dentists nationwide.

Aside from his numerous career achievements, Dr. Coleman dedicates himself to ensuring that his patients have an amazing experience when working with him through his core values of quality, compassion, and integrity.

Dr. Comstock grew up on a farm in rural New York and moved to the Boston area for graduate school. He has been in New England now for nearly 20 years and is proud to raise his family here with his high-school sweetheart.

Outside of Drum Hill Dental, Dr. Comstock enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children. Dr. Comstock is a novice open-water swimmer, even swimming some races with his wife and son. While most of his free time outside of work involves cheering on his kids at swim meets and soccer games, he also enjoys home improvement and landscaping projects.