Brunswick County · Since 1987

Emergency Dentistry in Oak Island, NC

Broken tooth, lost crown, swelling, or pain that woke you up. Call us first thing and we will find you a slot the same day wherever we can.

Three doctors, one location
Sedation available
Most major plans accepted
Written estimates before treatment

Call (910) 762-0958 Request the first available time

1987 Serving Wilmington since 50,000+ Patients treated 50+ Years combined experience 3 Doctors, one location

A closer look at emergency care

Not everything that feels urgent is urgent, and some things that do not hurt are. Swelling that is spreading, a tooth knocked completely out, or pain that no longer responds to over-the-counter medication all need attention today.

Full detail on emergency care ›

Oak Island patients and this treatment

Oak Island holds about 8,400 year-round residents and swells toward 50,000 in July, with roughly a third of the permanent population over 65.

Summer brings a spike in dental emergencies here, from visitors and from residents alike. We keep same-day capacity through the season.

A third of the permanent population is over 65, which is why so much of what we do here is restorative rather than preventive.

Oak Island's year-round population of around 8,400 swells toward 50,000 in July, and the practical dental needs of those two populations are completely different.

It is the longest regular drive in our service area, so Oak Island treatment plans are built around minimizing the number of visits.

We see patients from across Oak Island and the surrounding area, including the Oak Island Lighthouse, Fort Caswell, Ocean Crest Pier and the 28465 ZIP code.

Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the sixth fastest in the country, up about a quarter since 2020, and 35 percent of residents are 65 or older. That combination, rapid in-migration and an older population, is why so much of our Brunswick caseload is restorative.

Off-season appointments are easier to get and the drive is quicker. If it is not urgent, October through April is the better window.

It is the longest drive in our service area, so we consolidate: consults, records and treatment planned to minimize the number of trips.

Emergency Dentistry at Atlantic Dental Group, serving Oak Island, NC

You may be a candidate if

Severe or throbbing toothache
A knocked-out or loosened tooth after an impact
A cracked or broken tooth, with or without pain
A lost filling or crown
Facial swelling, or a gum abscess
Something sharp cutting your tongue or cheek

Your treatment, start to finish

Call usDescribe what happened. We will tell you what to do in the meantime and get you scheduled.
Triage and imagingA targeted x-ray and exam of the area, not a full workup.
Relief firstThe immediate goal is out of pain and stable.
Definitive planOnce the urgency is handled we talk about the permanent fix.

Afterwards

If a tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, rinse it gently in milk or saline, and either reseat it in the socket or keep it in milk while you get to us. Time matters enormously for reimplantation. For a broken tooth, rinse with warm salt water and avoid chewing on that side.

If you are away for part of the year, tell us your dates at the start and we will build the schedule around them.

What it costs

Emergency visits are covered by most plans as a limited exam plus whatever treatment is needed. We will tell you what the visit costs before you sit down, and we will separate what has to happen today from what can be scheduled and budgeted.

If your income is seasonal, say so at the consultation. We can time treatment phases to the part of the year that suits your cash flow.

Insurance and payment options ›

In their own words

Hear from Dr. Josh Winneberger

Dr. Winneberger on getting you numb without you noticing, and helping nervous patients get comfortable in the chair.

Read Dr. Winneberger's bio ›

Meet Dr. Josh Winneberger · 1m 44s

Questions we get asked

What counts as a real dental emergency?

Uncontrolled pain, spreading swelling, bleeding that will not stop, or a tooth that has been knocked out. Swelling that is moving toward the eye or the floor of the mouth is a hospital visit, not a dental one.

Can I be seen the same day?

We hold time for urgent cases. Call as early in the day as you can and your odds are good.

How far is your office from Oak Island?

About 39 miles, or roughly 55 minutes via NC-211 to US-17 North, then US-74/76 over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.

Do you see patients from Oak Island?

Regularly. Oak Island is part of our core service area in Brunswick County, and it is the longest drive in our service area, so we consolidate: consults, records and treatment planned to minimize the number of trips.

What are your hours?

Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.

Emergency Dentistry · Oak Island, NC