Experiencing a dental emergency? Longo Dentistry is here to help. We prioritize urgent dental care during our business hours and make every effort to see emergency patients as quickly as possible.
A dental emergency is any urgent dental problem that requires prompt attention to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or treat infection. Dental emergencies can happen at any time—from a sports injury to biting down on something hard, or a sudden toothache that won't go away.
Not all dental problems require emergency care, but when you're unsure, it's always best to call our office. Our experienced team can help you determine whether your situation needs immediate attention or can wait for a regular appointment. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, and we're committed to providing you with the care you need as quickly as possible.
For life-threatening situations such as severe facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or significant swelling affecting your airway, please go to your nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
At Longo Dentistry, we make emergency dental care a priority. We understand that dental pain and injuries can’t always wait, which is why we do our best to accommodate same-day emergency appointments during our regular business hours.
When you call our office with a dental emergency, our team will:
Our dental team, led by Dr. Shamyla Ashraf and Dr. Frank Longo, has extensive experience handling all types of dental emergencies, from severe toothaches to knocked-out teeth. With state-of-the-art diagnostic technology including digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, we can quickly identify the problem and provide effective treatment.
If your dental emergency occurs outside our business hours, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room for immediate care. Hospital emergency departments can provide pain management, treatment for infections, and stabilization for dental trauma until you can see us.
You’re also welcome to call our office and leave a detailed message including your name, phone number, and a description of your emergency. We will return your call as soon as possible at the start of our next business day to schedule a follow-up appointment and provide any additional care needed.
For severe emergencies involving uncontrollable bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or significant facial trauma, always seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room.
A severe toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies. The pain may be constant or throbbing and can indicate several serious issues including an abscess, deep cavity, infection, or exposed nerve. If you're experiencing severe tooth pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, or if the pain is accompanied by swelling or fever, contact us immediately.
Our treatment approach: We'll examine the affected tooth, take x-rays to identify the cause, and provide immediate pain relief. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include a filling, root canal therapy, or other appropriate procedures to eliminate the infection and save your tooth.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. Time is critical—if you can get to our office within 30 to 60 minutes, there's a good chance we can save and reimplant the tooth. After an hour, the likelihood of successful reimplantation decreases significantly.
Our treatment approach:
We'll carefully clean the tooth and socket, reposition the tooth, and splint it to adjacent teeth to stabilize it while it heals. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the tooth's integration. Even if the tooth cannot be saved, we offer excellent replacement options including dental implants and bridges.
Teeth can crack, chip, or break from biting hard objects, grinding your teeth, trauma to the mouth, or weakened tooth structure from large fillings or previous dental work. Depending on the severity, a broken tooth may or may not cause pain, but it always requires professional evaluation to prevent further damage or infection.
Our treatment approach:
Minor chips can often be smoothed or repaired with tooth-colored bonding material. Larger fractures may require a dental crown to protect and restore the tooth. If the crack extends into the pulp, root canal therapy may be necessary. We'll assess the damage and recommend the most appropriate treatment to restore both function and appearance.
A dental abscess is a serious infection that forms a pocket of pus at the root of a tooth or in the gums. Symptoms include severe, persistent pain, swelling in the face or gums, fever, a bad taste in your mouth, and sometimes a visible pimple-like bump on the gum. Dental abscesses require immediate attention as the infection can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated.
Our treatment approach:
We'll drain the abscess to relieve pressure and pain, prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection, and perform root canal therapy or extraction if necessary to eliminate the source of infection. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent serious complications.
When a crown or filling falls out or breaks, it leaves your tooth vulnerable to further damage, decay, and sensitivity. The exposed tooth structure can be painful, especially when eating or drinking hot or cold items. While this may not always constitute an emergency, it's important to have it addressed promptly to protect your tooth.
Our treatment approach:
We'll examine the tooth to ensure no decay or damage has occurred underneath. If your crown is intact, we may be able to recement it. Otherwise, we'll take impressions for a new crown or place a new filling. In the meantime, we can provide a temporary restoration to protect your tooth.
Injuries to your lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums can result from accidents, falls, or biting down wrong. While minor cuts may heal on their own, deeper lacerations may require professional care to stop bleeding, prevent infection, and potentially require stitches.
Our treatment approach:
We'll clean the wound thoroughly, assess whether sutures are needed, and provide instructions for proper healing. If the injury involves your teeth or jaw, we'll perform a complete examination to check for additional damage.
While this might seem minor, an object firmly lodged between your teeth can cause significant pain, swelling, and potential damage to your gums and teeth. If you cannot gently remove it with dental floss, don't try to force it out with sharp objects—call our office.
Our treatment approach:
We have specialized instruments to safely remove lodged objects without damaging your teeth or gums. We'll also check for any resulting damage or inflammation that may need treatment.
Taking the right steps before you get to our office can help minimize pain, prevent further damage, and even save your tooth. Here’s what to do for common dental emergencies:
Not sure if your dental problem requires immediate attention? Here’s a guide to help you decide:
When in doubt, call the nearest ER. Our team can help you assess your situation over the phone and determine the appropriate level of urgency. However, We’d rather have you call the ER than risk a problem becoming worse.
When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, you want to know you’re in capable, experienced hands. At Longo Dentistry, our emergency dental care is provided by:
Dr. Ashraf graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Dentistry with honors in Prosthodontics. Her specialized training in prosthodontics—the restoration and replacement of teeth—gives her advanced expertise in handling complex dental emergencies involving damaged or lost teeth. Dr. Ashraf has been actively involved in various community projects including Dental Care for Seniors and Preventative Dentistry for Children, demonstrating her commitment to serving the London, Ontario community.
Dr. Longo was born and raised in London, Ontario, and has deep roots in the community he serves. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1993. With over 30 years of dental experience, Dr. Longo has handled countless emergency situations with skill and compassion.
He founded Longo Dentistry in 2000, establishing a practice built on trust, expertise, and patient-centered care. His extensive experience and commitment to the London community make him a trusted choice for emergency dental care.
Together, Dr. Ashraf and Dr. Longo bring decades of combined experience and specialized training to emergency dental situations. Their expertise ensures you receive the highest quality emergency dental care in London, ON, with a focus on preserving your natural teeth whenever possible.
When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, you need a dental team you can trust. Here’s what sets Longo Dentistry apart:
Dr. Shamyla Ashraf and Dr. Frank Longo have extensive training and decades of combined experience in handling all types of dental emergencies. Their expertise means accurate diagnosis and effective treatment when you need it most.
We understand that emergencies are stressful and often painful. Our entire team is committed to making you comfortable while providing prompt, effective treatment.
We do everything we can to accommodate emergency patients on the same day during our business hours. When you’re in pain, we want to see you as quickly as possible.
Our modern diagnostic equipment, including digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, allows us to quickly identify problems and create an effective treatment plan.
From root canals to dental crowns to extractions, we offer a full range of services in our office, so you can receive complete care without multiple referrals.
Whenever possible, we work to preserve your natural teeth through advanced restorative techniques.
We’ll explain your condition, discuss all treatment options, and provide transparent information about costs before beginning any procedure.
We’re located at 1221 Dundas St Unit 1 in London, ON, making it easy to get to us quickly when emergencies strike.
We accept most dental insurance plans and will work with your provider to maximize your benefits. We accept various payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, and cash to make your emergency visit as stress-free as possible.
Our first goal is always to relieve your pain and make you comfortable, then address the underlying problem.
With extended hours on select days and Saturday appointments available, we make it easier for busy families and professionals to access emergency care.
While not all dental emergencies can be prevented, you can significantly reduce your risk by following these simple guidelines:
Visiting us every six months for routine cleanings and exams helps us catch small problems before they become emergencies. We can identify weak teeth, failing fillings, or early signs of infection and address them proactively
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash. Good home care prevents decay and gum disease, which are common causes of dental emergencies.
If you or your children play contact sports or activities with a risk of facial injury, always wear a properly fitted mouthguard. Custom mouthguards from our office offer the best protection.
If you notice sensitivity, a small chip, or any changes in your teeth or gums, schedule an appointment. Early intervention prevents many emergencies.
Don't chew on ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, or pen caps. These can crack or break even healthy teeth.
Never use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or tear tags. Keep scissors and bottle openers handy instead.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) can crack teeth and cause severe wear. A custom nightguard protects your teeth while you sleep.
Caramel, taffy, and other sticky foods can pull out fillings and crowns. Eat these foods with caution.
A: We see emergency patients during our regular business hours:
Monday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Wednesday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays. We prioritize emergency cases and will do our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible during these hours.
A: Our office operates during regular business hours. If you have an emergency outside these hours, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room for immediate care. You can also call our office at (519) 455-1221 and leave a detailed message, and we will return your call at the start of our next business day to schedule follow-up care. For life-threatening emergencies such as severe facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty breathing, always go to the emergency room immediately.
A: We make every effort to see emergency patients the same day during our business hours. When you call (519) 455-1221, describe your symptoms to our team, and we’ll assess the urgency and work to get you scheduled as quickly as possible—often within a few hours. For knocked-out teeth, we understand the time-sensitive nature and will prioritize getting you in immediately.
A: Most dental emergencies are best treated at a dental office where we have specialized equipment and expertise. However, you should go to the hospital ER if you experience: severe facial or jaw trauma, suspected jaw fracture, uncontrollable bleeding that won’t stop after 15-20 minutes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or severe swelling that could affect your airway. For all other dental emergencies, calling our office at (519) 455-1221 is your best first step.
A: Most dental insurance plans cover emergency dental care, though your specific coverage depends on your plan. We accept most major dental insurance plans and will verify your benefits before treatment when possible. Our team will work with your insurance company to maximize your coverage and will provide you with a clear estimate of any out-of-pocket costs before we begin treatment.
A: We welcome emergency patients even if you’re not an established patient of our practice. Dental emergencies require immediate care, and we’re here to help everyone in the London, ON community. Simply call our office at (519) 455-1221, describe your situation, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. We can transfer your dental records afterward if you decide to continue your care with us.
A: Call our office immediately at (519) 455-1221. We provide emergency dental care for patients of all ages, including children. Children’s dental emergencies, such as knocked-out baby teeth or injuries to permanent teeth, require prompt professional evaluation. Stay calm to help keep your child calm, follow the first aid instructions provided earlier, and get to our office as quickly as possible. Our team is experienced in working with children and will help your child feel comfortable and safe.
A: The cost of emergency dental treatment varies depending on the type of emergency and the treatment required. For example, treating a toothache may involve a filling, root canal, or extraction—each with different costs. We’ll examine your situation, take necessary x-rays, and provide you with a clear, itemized estimate before beginning treatment. We’ll also check your insurance benefits and explain your coverage. Our goal is complete transparency so you can make informed decisions about your care.
A: The cost of emergency dental treatment varies depending on the type of emergency and the treatment required. For example, treating a toothache may involve a filling, root canal, or extraction—each with different costs. We’ll examine your situation, take necessary x-rays, and provide you with a clear, itemized estimate before beginning treatment. We’ll also check your insurance benefits and explain your coverage. Our goal is complete transparency so you can make informed decisions about your care.
A: We accept most major dental insurance plans, credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Our team will work with your insurance company to maximize your benefits and help make your emergency dental care as affordable as possible.
Don’t wait when you’re experiencing dental pain or injury. Dental emergencies can worsen quickly, and prompt treatment often means the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Dr. Shamyla Ashraf and Dr. Frank Longo and our team at Longo Dentistry are ready to provide you with prompt, compassionate emergency dental care in London, ON.
1221 Dundas St Unit 1
London, ON N5W 3B1
Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
(Note: For emergencies, calling is always fastest. Email is best for general inquiries and non-urgent questions.)
Or during office hours call our office at (519) 455-1221 . Dr. Shamyla Ashraf, Dr. Frank Longo, and our experienced team can help you assess your situation over the phone and determine the best course of action. We’re here to help you get the care you need when you need it most.