It happens when you least expect it. A bite into something hard, a slip on the ice along the Esplanade, a throbbing pain that jolts you awake at 2 a.m. Dental emergencies don’t follow a schedule — and in a city as busy as Boston, you need a practice that’s ready when you are.
Dental Arts of Boston, located at 26 Marlborough Street in Back Bay, is one of the most trusted emergency dental practices in the Greater Boston area. With a Harvard and Tufts-trained team, advanced technology, and a patient-first approach that has earned them hundreds of five-star reviews, they’re the practice Boston turns to when things go wrong with a tooth.
This guide covers everything you need to know about dental emergencies in Boston — what qualifies as one, what to do in the minutes after an injury, which Boston neighborhoods Dental Arts of Boston serves, and why so many patients call this Back Bay practice their dental home.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every toothache requires an emergency visit, but many oral health situations are genuinely time-sensitive — and waiting too long can turn a manageable problem into a costly, painful one. Here are the most common dental emergencies the team at Dental Arts of Boston treats:
What to Do in the First 30 Minutes
How you respond in the moments after a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the most critical scenarios:
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Call Dental Arts of Boston Immediately
Your first call should always be to your dentist, not an urgent care clinic. A dentist has the tools, training, and technology to handle dental emergencies — general urgent care usually does not. Call 857-376-6559 right away and describe your symptoms.
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For a Knocked-Out Tooth: Handle With Care
Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse it gently with water — do not scrub. If possible, place it back in the socket. If not, store it in milk or between your cheek and gum. Every minute counts.
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For a Cracked or Broken Tooth: Rinse and Protect
Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there’s swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your face. Save any tooth fragments you can find. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth entirely until you’re seen.
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For a Lost Crown or Filling: Temporary Cover
Over-the-counter dental cement (available at most Boston pharmacies) can temporarily protect the exposed tooth. Do not use superglue. Call the practice and come in as soon as possible for a proper restoration.
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For an Abscess: Don’t Wait
A dental abscess can spread infection to the jaw, neck, and in severe cases, further into the body. Do not attempt to drain it yourself. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever and get to Dental Arts of Boston — or an emergency room if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Serving All of Greater Boston — From Back Bay to the Burbs
Dental Arts of Boston sits at the geographic heart of the city, making it easily accessible from virtually every Boston neighborhood and surrounding community. Whether you live in the shadow of the State House on Beacon Hill, work in the Seaport, or commute in from the suburbs, you’re never far from expert emergency care.
Steps from the Public Garden, right in the neighborhood. The most convenient emergency dentist for Back Bay and Beacon Hill residents.
A short Green Line ride or quick drive from Fenway and the South End puts you at Dental Arts of Boston in minutes.
Harvard and MIT communities have trusted Dental Arts of Boston for decades. Easy access via Mass Ave or the Red Line to Green Line.
Financial district professionals and Seaport workers can reach Back Bay on the Orange or Green Line for same-day emergency care.
North End and Charlestown residents are a short drive or cab ride from Marlborough Street — well worth it for trusted emergency care.
Suburban patients consistently choose Dental Arts of Boston over local options for the combination of expertise, technology, and trust.
Dental Arts of Boston is located at 26 Marlborough Street, served by the MBTA Green Line (Arlington stop), and accessible from Storrow Drive and the Mass Pike. Street parking and nearby garages are available in Back Bay.
Why Boston Trusts Dental Arts of Boston for Emergency Care
When you’re in pain and panicking, the last thing you want to do is research dentists. Bostonians who’ve already done that research — and those who’ve been coming for years — consistently point to the same reasons Dental Arts of Boston stands apart for emergency dental care.
Harvard and Tufts-Trained Expertise
The practice is staffed by four doctors with credentials from two of the most prestigious dental institutions in the world. Dr. Mahmoud Hamad completed his periodontal residency at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. George Stevens, Dr. Michelle Stevens, and Dr. Athena Papas are all Tufts School of Dental Medicine graduates. Dr. Papas holds the title of Distinguished Professor at Tufts, with more than four decades of clinical and research experience.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Emergency situations require fast, accurate diagnosis. Dental Arts of Boston uses 3D imaging, digital X-rays, and laser technology to assess damage quickly and precisely — so treatment can begin without delay. In a dental emergency, faster diagnosis means faster relief.
A Calming, Human Approach
Dental emergencies are stressful. Pain, fear, and urgency create a difficult combination — and the team at Dental Arts of Boston understands that. They specialize in relieving dental anxiety and approach every emergency visit with calm, clear communication and genuine compassion. Patients who came in terrified consistently describe leaving feeling cared for and grateful.
“Words fail to adequately express how one visit has forever changed three individuals — two traumatized by dentists in the past. Every single person made me feel at ease. I am forever grateful.”— Rosalie F., Verified Patient Review
Comprehensive Care Beyond the Emergency
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Dental Arts of Boston for emergency care: they’re a full-service practice. Once your emergency is resolved, you don’t need to find another dentist for the follow-up. The same team that handles your emergency can also provide crowns and bridges, dental implants, full restorative care, and ongoing general dentistry — all in one place.
Emergency Dentistry and the Boston Lifestyle
Boston is a physically active, socially engaged city. People here run marathons, play pickup hockey on the Frog Pond, cycle the Minuteman Bikeway, cheer loudly at Garden games, and eat their way through some of the best restaurants in the country. All of which means — dental injuries happen here more than people like to admit.
A puck to the mouth during a Bruins game watch party in the South End. A fall on the brick sidewalks of Beacon Hill after a winter storm. Biting into a baguette at a North End bakery and hearing a crack that shouldn’t have happened. These are real Boston emergencies, and they happen to real Bostonians every day.
The good news: when they happen near Back Bay — which is to say, when they happen anywhere in the city — Dental Arts of Boston is close, capable, and ready.
Boston Pro Tip: Save This Number Before You Need It
Don’t wait until a dental emergency to look for a dentist. Save 857-376-6559 in your phone now. Dental Arts of Boston at 26 Marlborough St, Back Bay — the dentist that Boston trusts when things go wrong.
Beyond Emergencies: Complete Dental Care in Back Bay
Dental Arts of Boston handles every type of dental need — from the urgent to the elective. Once your emergency is behind you, explore the full range of services available at the practice:
- Dental Implants
- Full-Mouth Reconstruction
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Porcelain Veneers
- Clear Aligners
- Crowns & Bridges
- Dentures
- Gum Disease Treatment
- Periodontal Surgery
- TMJ Treatment
- Sleep Apnea
- Family Dentistry
26 Marlborough St · Boston, MA 02116 · Back Bay · Mon–Thu 9AM–6PM · Fri 9AM–3PM
Emergency dental care · Boston, MA
Act immediately. Pick the tooth up by the crown (never the root), rinse it gently, and either place it back in the socket or store it in milk. Then call Dental Arts of Boston at 857-376-6559 right away. A knocked-out tooth can often be saved if you reach a dentist within 30–60 minutes. Time is the most critical factor.
Yes. The practice prioritizes dental emergencies and makes every effort to see urgent patients the same day they call. Call 857-376-6559 as soon as possible and describe your situation — the team will work to get you in quickly.
It depends on the severity. A mild, intermittent ache may be able to wait for a scheduled appointment. A severe, constant, or worsening toothache — especially one accompanied by swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth — is a sign of possible infection and should be treated as an emergency. Call the office and describe your symptoms so the team can advise you.
If you lose a crown or filling outside of office hours, you can use over-the-counter dental cement (available at most Boston pharmacies) to temporarily protect the exposed tooth. Avoid eating on that side and call Dental Arts of Boston first thing the next morning to schedule a same-day repair. Do not use superglue or household adhesives.
The practice is located at 26 Marlborough Street in Back Bay, a 3–4 minute walk from the Arlington Street station on the Green Line. It’s also accessible from Copley station (Green Line), and is close to Storrow Drive and the Mass Pike for patients driving in from surrounding neighborhoods or suburbs.
For most dental emergencies, urgent care clinics are not the right choice — they typically lack the equipment, training, and materials to properly treat tooth injuries or infections. They may be able to prescribe antibiotics or pain relief in extreme cases, but definitive treatment requires a dentist. Call Dental Arts of Boston first. If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing due to a dental infection, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Absolutely. Dental Arts of Boston offers an in-house Membership Club that covers preventive care and provides discounts on other treatments — including emergency visits. Third-party financing through Cherry is also available. Visit the payment options page for details, or simply call and ask — the front desk team is happy to talk through your options.
Most emergency visits stabilize the situation and relieve pain — follow-up appointments may be needed for permanent restorations like crowns, implants, or other treatments. The team will outline a clear, personalized treatment plan so you know exactly what to expect. Because Dental Arts of Boston is a full-service practice, all follow-up care happens with the same trusted team.
Yes — this is one of the things the practice is most known for. The entire team is trained in managing dental anxiety, and they bring a calm, patient, and communicative approach to every visit — especially emergencies, which are inherently stressful. Many of the practice’s most loyal patients are people who had traumatic dental experiences elsewhere and found Dental Arts of Boston to be a completely different kind of practice.
Dental Arts of Boston is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For emergencies during business hours, call 857-376-6559 immediately. For after-hours situations involving severe pain, swelling, or trauma, follow first-aid steps, call the office line for guidance, and if needed, seek care at a Boston area emergency room.