A dental emergency can strike at any moment — a cracked tooth on a Saturday night, a throbbing toothache that keeps you up until 3 AM, or a knocked-out tooth during a sports game. When it happens, you need an emergency dentist in Montréal who can see you fast, relieve your pain, and protect your long-term dental health. At Dr Lachance Dental Clinic, we offer same-day emergency appointments every day of the week, including weekends and holidays. Call (514) 845-7121 — we will get you in as quickly as possible.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Not every dental problem requires same-day care, but many do. The key question is: are you in pain, at risk of infection, or have you suffered trauma to your teeth or mouth? If the answer is yes, treat it as an emergency. Here are the most common situations that require urgent dental attention in Montréal:
Severe or sudden toothache
A toothache that comes on suddenly or intensifies over hours is not something to wait out. It typically signals an inflamed or infected nerve, a cracked tooth, or an abscess. Pain that wakes you up, prevents you from eating, or does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication needs same-day care.
Knocked-out tooth (avulsion)
This is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. If a permanent tooth is knocked out completely, you have a narrow window — ideally under 60 minutes — to have it reimplanted successfully. Follow these steps immediately:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part), not the root
- Rinse it gently with clean water — do not scrub or use soap
- Try to reinsert it into the socket and hold it in place, or keep it in a small cup of cold milk or your own saliva
- Call us immediately at (514) 845-7121 and head straight to our clinic
Time is critical. The sooner you arrive, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Cracked or broken tooth
A cracked tooth can range from a minor chip to a severe fracture reaching the root. Even a crack that does not cause immediate pain should be evaluated — bacteria can penetrate the crack and lead to infection. Sharp edges can also damage your tongue, cheeks, or gums. If you have a broken tooth in Montréal, call us for a same-day assessment.
Lost filling, crown, or bridge
When a filling or crown falls out, the underlying tooth is exposed and vulnerable to sensitivity, pain, and decay. A temporary repair can protect the tooth until a permanent restoration is placed. If you have lost a crown, try to keep it and bring it with you — it may be possible to re-cement it.
Dental abscess
An abscess is a pocket of infection around a tooth root or in the gums. It is a serious condition that will not resolve on its own and can spread to the jaw, neck, or even the brain if left untreated. Signs of a dental abscess include:
- Persistent, throbbing pain that may radiate to your ear or jaw
- Swelling of the face, cheek, or neck
- A visible pimple-like bump on the gum
- Fever and general feeling of illness
- Bad taste or pus in the mouth
If you have swelling of the neck or difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to the emergency room immediately — this is life-threatening. For all other abscess symptoms, call us right away.
Soft tissue injuries
Cuts, tears, or lacerations to the lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums caused by a fall, bite, or accident should be evaluated. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth to control bleeding. If bleeding does not slow after 15–20 minutes, seek urgent care.
Dental trauma in children
Children are especially prone to dental injuries from falls and sports. Injuries to baby teeth and permanent teeth are treated differently, so it is important to call a dental professional immediately rather than assuming the injury is minor. Our team has experience treating pediatric dental emergencies in Montréal.
What to do before you reach our Montréal emergency clinic
While you are on your way to see us, here are first-aid steps that can reduce pain and prevent further damage depending on your situation:
- Toothache: Rinse with warm salt water. Take ibuprofen (if not contraindicated) for pain. Do not put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — it can cause chemical burns.
- Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling.
- Lost filling: Use sugarless gum or dental cement (available at most pharmacies) to temporarily seal the cavity.
- Abscess: Rinse with warm salt water several times to help draw out the infection. Do not attempt to drain it yourself.
- Bleeding gums: Gently press a clean, damp cloth against the area and maintain pressure.
These are temporary measures only. You still need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
How our Montréal emergency dental team handles your visit
When you arrive at our downtown Montréal clinic for a dental emergency, our priority is simple: relieve your pain first, then diagnose and treat the cause. Here is what a typical emergency visit looks like:
- Triage and pain relief — we assess the severity and provide fast pain control, including local anaesthesia if needed
- Diagnosis — digital X-rays and clinical examination to identify the exact problem
- Same-visit treatment — in most cases we can treat the emergency on the spot: extract or treat an infected tooth, re-cement a crown, perform a temporary or permanent filling, drain an abscess, or stabilize a knocked-out tooth
- Follow-up plan — if additional treatment is needed, we schedule and explain next steps clearly before you leave
Why choose Dr Lachance for emergency dental care in Montréal?
There are several clinics in Montréal, but not all are equipped or available for true dental emergencies. Here is what sets us apart:
- Open 7 days a week — including Saturdays and Sundays, when most clinics in Montréal are closed
- Same-day appointments — we reserve slots every day specifically for emergency patients; call early to maximize your chances of a morning slot
- Central downtown location — inside Complexe Desjardins, steps from Place-des-Arts metro (Orange Line), accessible from any part of the island in under 30 minutes
- Full-service clinic — we do not just stabilize and refer; we can handle most emergencies completely in-house, from root canals to extractions and temporary prosthetics
- Multilingual team — we serve emergency patients in English, French, and several other languages; no language barrier will delay your care
- Sedation options — if dental anxiety is part of your emergency (panic, extreme sensitivity), we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure
- Transparent pricing — we explain costs before treatment begins and help you understand your insurance coverage
Emergency dental care and insurance in Montréal
Most dental insurance plans in Canada include emergency dental coverage. At Dr Lachance, we work with all major insurers and will help you understand what is covered before treatment begins. If you do not have insurance, we offer transparent pricing and flexible payment arrangements so that cost is never a barrier to urgent care.
How to prevent dental emergencies
While accidents are unpredictable, many dental emergencies are preventable with proper habits and regular care:
- Regular checkups — seeing your dentist every 6 months allows small problems (hairline cracks, early decay, loose fillings) to be caught before they become emergencies
- Wear a mouthguard — if you play contact sports, a custom-fitted mouthguard dramatically reduces the risk of tooth fractures and avulsions
- Wear a nightguard — if you grind your teeth during sleep, a nightguard prevents the progressive cracking and enamel loss that leads to tooth breakage
- Avoid biting hard objects — ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and your fingernails are all common causes of cracked teeth
- Address sensitivity early — tooth sensitivity is often an early sign of a problem; do not wait until it becomes pain
Frequently asked questions — emergency dentist Montréal
Are you open on weekends for dental emergencies?
Yes. We are open Saturday and Sunday and see emergency patients both days. Call (514) 845-7121 as early as possible to secure a spot.
How quickly can I get a same-day appointment?
In most cases, if you call before noon, we can accommodate you the same day. For genuine emergencies (abscess, knocked-out tooth, uncontrollable pain), we always find a way to see you the same day regardless of time.
What if my tooth was knocked out?
Call immediately and head to our clinic. Keep the tooth moist — in cold milk, saline solution, or tucked between your cheek and gum. The sooner we see you, the higher the chance of saving the tooth.
Is emergency dental care covered by insurance?
Most Canadian dental insurance plans cover emergency treatments at least partially. Bring your insurance card and we will verify coverage before starting any procedure.
Can I go to the hospital ER for a dental emergency?
Hospital emergency rooms can help with severe swelling, bleeding, or infection that is spreading, but they typically cannot perform dental procedures. They will prescribe antibiotics or pain medication and refer you to a dentist. Coming directly to us is faster and more effective for most dental emergencies.
Where are you located?
We are at Complexe Desjardins, 150 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Montréal, QC H2X 3Y2 — directly connected to the Place-des-Arts metro station (Orange Line).