Is It a Dental Emergency?
Some dental problems can wait for a regular appointment, but others need care right away. Call us immediately if you have:
- Severe tooth pain that doesn't get better with over-the-counter pain relievers
- Swelling in your face, gums, or jaw
- A tooth that has been knocked out or pushed out of place
- A cracked or broken tooth with sharp edges or pain
- A bump on your gums that drains pus or leaves a bad taste in your mouth
- Bleeding in your mouth that won't stop
Not sure if it's an emergency? Call us anyway. Our team can help you decide over the phone whether you need to be seen right away.
Emergency Dental Treatments We Provide
Our team treats a wide range of dental emergencies right here in our office, so most patients can get relief without being referred elsewhere.
Root Canal Therapy
Severe tooth pain is often caused by decay or infection that has reached the pulp, the inner part of the tooth where the nerves are. In many cases, root canal therapy is the most effective way to stop the pain and save your natural tooth. Until your visit, hold a cold compress against the outside of your jaw and take ibuprofen to ease swelling and discomfort. Curious what to expect? Read what happens during an emergency root canal.
Chipped or Broken Tooth Repair
A tooth can chip or break from something as ordinary as biting down on hard food, or from a fall or sports injury. If any pieces come off, rinse them gently, place them in a small bag or container, and bring them with you. Rinse your mouth with warm water and take ibuprofen for discomfort. Depending on the damage, we may restore the tooth with cosmetic bonding or a dental crown. We always do everything we can to save your natural tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of saving it:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never the root
- If it's dirty, rinse it gently with water without scrubbing
- Try to place it back in the socket and bite down gently on gauze or a clean cloth
- If that's not possible, keep the tooth in a small container of milk
- Call us right away at (718) 823-3000 and come in as quickly as you can
If the tooth can't be saved, we'll talk with you about replacing it with a dental implant or bridge.
Lost Filling or Crown
When a filling or crown comes out, the tooth underneath is exposed and can become sensitive or damaged. If you lost a crown, keep it in a safe place and bring it with you, since it can often be recemented. Until your visit, avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can help protect the tooth, but never use household glue.
Dental Abscess Treatment
A dental abscess is a pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gums. Signs include throbbing pain, swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gums, a bad taste in your mouth, and sometimes fever. An abscess won't go away on its own and can spread if it isn't treated, so call us right away. Don't try to pop or drain it yourself. Treatment may include draining the infection, a root canal, or an extraction. Untreated gum disease is a common cause of abscesses.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is too badly damaged or infected to save, removing it can stop the pain and prevent the problem from spreading. Our dentist will examine the tooth, explain your options, and recommend the best way to relieve your pain. If an extraction is needed, we can talk with you about replacing the tooth with a dental implant or bridge. After your visit, see what to eat and avoid after a tooth extraction.
Broken Dentures
A cracked or broken denture can make it hard to eat and speak. Bring all the pieces with you, and don't try to glue them back together at home, since household glue can damage the denture and irritate your gums. We can evaluate whether your dentures can be repaired or need to be replaced.
Dental Emergencies for Kids
Children's teeth get chipped, knocked out, and injured during play and sports. Our pediatric dentistry team treats dental emergencies for children, too. If your child has a dental injury or toothache, call us right away.
What to Do If Our Office Is Closed
If you have a dental emergency outside our office hours, follow these steps until you can be seen:
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed for pain
- Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean
- For a knocked-out tooth, keep the tooth in milk and follow the steps above
- Call us at (718) 823-3000 as soon as we open
When to Go to the ER Instead
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have swelling that spreads to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a possible broken jaw.
Comfortable Emergency Care
Dental pain is stressful enough without worrying about the visit itself. Our team takes time to explain every step, and if you feel anxious, ask us about sedation dentistry to help you stay relaxed during treatment.
Emergency Dental Costs, Insurance & Financing
The cost of an emergency visit depends on the treatment you need, whether that's a simple exam, a filling, a root canal, or an extraction. We'll explain your costs before treatment begins. We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible financing options, so you can get out of pain now and pay over time.
Emergency Dentist Near You in the Bronx
Our office is at 3875 East Tremont Ave. in the Bronx, and we welcome emergency patients from Throggs Neck, Pelham Bay, Country Club, Schuylerville, Westchester Square, Castle Hill, and throughout the Bronx. To save time, new patients can fill out patient forms before their visit.
After your emergency is taken care of, we recommend a full dental exam and X-rays to check your overall oral health and help prevent future emergencies.
