If you believe you are having a dental emergency, please contact us immediately at 978-534-9216. If it is outside of our office hours (M / T 8 a.m. 8 p.m, W-F 8 a.m. 5 p.m., S 8 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 away (even 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. 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.

I cannot praise Leominster Family Dentists enough. I relocated to the area and was in need of some dental work. I chose Leominster because they accepted my insurance plan. Ill admit that I am NO fan of going to the dentist, let alone having major dental work done. I had a broken molar and dreaded what I figured was going to happen, and how much it was going to cost. Dr. Unger assessed the problem and gave me a couple of very reasonable recommendations.

The work he did was awesome. His manner and professionalism went a long way to eliminating my apprehension. Since then Dr. Unger put me on a plan to fix some other minor issues and on a preventive maintenance plan. Minor problems that would have turned into big problems have been fixed. Best of all, the fee for dental work at Leominster was much lower than what I was accustomed to at my previous, Metro-Boston area dentist office. If you need a dentist in the Leominster area, look no further. Leominster Family Dentists is the place for you. A satisfied customer

Dr. Stephen Markowitz is a third-generation dentist who has grown up in the area and been an active part of the community his entire life. He is passionate about dentistry and shares his expertise through various dental academies and associations.

Dr. William Unger has been with Leominster Family Dentists for so many years that he has become the most highly requested doctor on staff, he is known and loved by hundreds of happy patients. He spends most of his time in the dentistry world and what time he has left he spends with his family and doing charity work.

Dr. Michael Richler is a pediatric dentist, specializing in making children and youth feel comfortable and at-ease when receiving dental work. He is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy to young adulthood with his goal to make every childs dental experience a happy one.

Dr. Daniel Carlozzi is a dedicated dentist who completed his undergraduate studies through Trinity College in Hartford and went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He completed the general practice residency at Hartford Hospital and is dedicated to learning new skills and being active in professional organizations.

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. Allison Hopkinson has received the American Association of Orthodontics Award for excellence. She is an avid member of dental associations and societies and enjoys sports, hiking and spending time with friends and family.

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.

I love coming to Leominster Family Dentist! Everyone is so sweet and accommodating! I had a great experience (even though I had to get fillings!) Love coming to a place that I know Ill be taken care of! Always a great visit!

I have been going to Leominster Family Dentists for about 6-7 years now. Dr Unger is my dentist there. I have been to many dentists over the years and I know a good dentist when I see one. Dr Unger is very experienced and does fantastic work.

Visiting the dentist is not my favorite thing but I would recommend your office and so would my mother. The office is always polite, and Dr. Schweitzer explains procedures properly and thoroughly in a friendly manner. The assistant is customer friendly and attentive.

At Leominster Family Dentists, 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. Stephen Markowitzis a third-generation dentist who has grown up in the area and been part of the community his entire life. He joined the team to be like his dad, Dr Howard Markowitz DDS, and strives to continue the family tradition of excellent dental care while building strong patient relationships. Dr. Markowitz graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he was awarded the clinical award inprosthodontics.

Prior to dental school,Dr. Markowitzearned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut. Before joining Leominster Family Dentists, Dr. Markowitz attended an externship at the North Shore Community Center in Salem, MA

Dr Markowitz is married to his amazing and supportive wife Lynn, who is a scientist researching cancer drugs. And the father of 2 rambunctious boys who keep him active and on his feet. Lynn and Dr Markowitz will soon be expecting their third child.

Dr. Unger does dentistry about a thousand hours a week, participates in 100-mile bicycle rides for charity, and still finds time for his lovely wife and children. However, he has not found the time to give us his biography. Please remind him when you see him at our office!