Emergency Dentist New York

Quickly & Painlessly Restoring Smiles

Wincing woman holding her cheek needing emergency dentist in New York

Are you or a loved one experiencing a dental emergency? These instances can happen in the space between one moment and the next, and often when it’s most inconvenient to boot. Pick up the phone right now and contact Dr. Newman here at Gramercy Dental Studio! As an emergency dentist in New York, we do everything we can to see emergency cases as soon as possible and give you the relief and skilled support you need most during this trying time.

Why Choose Gramercy Dental Studio for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • Get Scheduled in the Evening and On Weekends
  • Nitrous Oxide In-House for Anxious Patients
More to Explore

What is Biomimetic Dentistry? I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity/Broken Tooth I am Missing Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I Have Red, Tender Gums I Have Jaw Pain & Headaches View Our Services

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding her cheek in pain while visiting emergency dentist
  • Same-day appointment: When you get in touch with our office, we work quickly to get you seen the same day as well as offer first-aid tips over the phone to help manage any symptoms you are experiencing. On top of providing same-day appointments, we’re happy to be open on weekends and during evening hours of the day for your convenience.
  • Emergency exam: After you arrive at our office, Dr. Newman will perform an emergency exam and determine if digital X-rays are needed to better understand your dental issue. He’ll also do what he can to immediately mitigate any discomfort.
  • Review findings: Following your exam, our team will break down our findings with you and recommend services that will treat your symptoms and prevent future problems. This treatment plan is customized for you and includes estimated costs and the amount of time it will take to complete.
  • Get the care you need: Common services we may recommend for your dental emergency include but are not limited to dental fillings, crowns, non-surgical periodontal therapy, root canals, and tooth extractions.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Toothaches, damaged and knocked-out teeth, and oral infections are just a few of the dental emergencies we treat at Gramercy Dental Studio. Our office also provides professional care for the dental emergencies found below. You can learn how to best manage these situations before you arrive at our office. Just don’t let them be a substitute for calling and scheduling an appointment with Dr. Newman!

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency?

There are a variety of reasons why you could be experiencing a toothache. It could be the result of something minor or a more problematic issue that needs to be addressed immediately. If you have a toothache that is sharp, throbbing, or accompanied by a small, pimple-like bump on the gums, you should schedule an urgent appointment with us.

How you should handle a toothache:

If you are dealing with a toothache, start by rinsing your mouth with water and flossing around the tooth. You may want to swish salt water around your mouth to reduce inflammation and disinfect the area. To numb some of the soreness, try using an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and apply a cold compress. To schedule an appointment, give us a call.

How we treat toothaches:

Before we can treat your toothache, we will need to determine why you are experiencing pain. In many cases, a toothache can be treated with a filling or dental crown. In more severe situations, gum disease therapy, root canal therapy, or extraction may be necessary. When you come to our practice, we will determine the best course of action to relieve your pain and treat your smile.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

Chipped teeth aren’t always a dental emergency, but you should still schedule an appointment with us at your earliest convenience. Even if your chip is small and not very noticeable, leaving it without treatment can lead to additional damage.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:

Begin rinsing your mouth with water. Collect any larger pieces of your tooth if you are able. When you come to the dental office, bring them with you. In the meantime, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the chip is located. If your tooth is sharp or jagged, apply some dental wax so you don’t accidentally cut your lip or cheek. This can be found in the dental section of your local drugstore.

How we treat chipped teeth:

Chipped teeth can often be repaired with dental bonding in a single appointment. However, if your chip is on a more visible tooth, like one of your front teeth, you may want to consider a longer-lasting cosmetic option, like a dental veneer.

Learn More About Direct Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?

Cracked teeth can be very painful, and they leave your smile vulnerable to harmful bacteria. In some cases, it can be difficult to see cracks in your teeth. If you notice increased sensitivity or discomfort after biting down on something hard or taking a blow to the face, you may have cracked one or more of your teeth, so you should seek treatment immediately.

How you should handle a cracked tooth:

You should start by rinsing your mouth with water. This helps to keep the area clean until you can receive treatment. Next, give us a call to schedule an emergency visit. If you notice swelling or are experiencing pain, this can be lessened with a cold compress and/or over-the-counter pain reliever.

How we treat cracked teeth:

The treatment used for cracked teeth depends on the severity of the damage. Small cracks can sometimes be resolved with dental bonding, but more serious ones may require a tooth extraction. Often, cracked teeth can be treated by protecting them with dental crowns.

Learn More About Direct Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Sensitivity to Hot & Cold

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency?

Most instances of tooth sensitivity are a result of minor problems that won’t require urgent care, like a cavity. Even so, your condition could also be a sign of a serious issue that’ll need to be addressed right away before it can worsen, such as gingivitis. That’s why you’ll want to visit your dentist sooner rather than later.

How you should handle sensitive teeth:

If you notice your teeth are sensitive, notify our team as soon as possible. We can help guide you on how to manage your symptoms, such as recommending special desensitizing toothpaste. More general instructions will involve taking over-the-counter pain relievers and rinsing your mouth with water (or salt water) until you arrive at your appointment.

How we treat tooth sensitivity:

We’ll address your tooth sensitivity based on the underlying problem we detect. If the root of the issue is due to a cavity, then we can simply provide you with tooth-colored fillings. For more serious conditions like gingivitis, we can offer non-surgical periodontal disease treatment.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency?

A knocked-out tooth will need to be treated within 30 minutes to an hour to have the best chance of saving it. Therefore, you’ll need to schedule an emergency same-day appointment and visit your dentist as soon as possible. Until you can see them, you’ll need to keep the tooth viable by adhering to the following directions.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth:

Pick up the tooth by the crown, NOT the roots. Be sure to rinse it carefully with water, but don’t use soap, scrub it, or remove any tissue from it. If you can, place the tooth back in its socket. If this isn’t possible, keep it between your cheeks and gums or store it in a container of milk or saline solution.

How we treat knocked-out teeth:

Our team will do everything we can to put the tooth back in place and preserve it. This may be possible by splinting it to a nearby healthy tooth to keep it stable while it heals. Otherwise, we’ll have to consider your tooth replacement options, such as a bridge or dental implant.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency?

Dental crowns and fillings aren’t meant to last forever, so it isn’t always considered an urgent situation if you lose yours or it pops out of place. However, you should go ahead and schedule an appointment with your dentist so that you can avoid complications like further damage or infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown:

Make sure to keep your mouth clean of debris, food particles, and bacteria by rinsing with water (or salt water) often. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you’ve had your filling or crown restored or replaced. Take over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate any discomfort while you wait to see us. You can try reseating your lost restoration with toothpaste or dental wax, but these will only provide a temporary solution.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns:

If you’ve lost a filling, our team will likely provide you with a new one. For a dental crown, we might re-cement it back in place if it’s still in good shape. However, to ensure it doesn’t fall off again, we can also just replace it with a new restoration. We’ll also assess your mouth to determine any developing issues that may have caused your filling or crown to come off, that way we can address it beforehand.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

Even if it seems like you can still wear a broken denture, it’s ill-advised to do so; you could risk damaging your soft tissues and other oral structures. You should get in touch with a dental expert to have the problem dealt with immediately.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture:

It might be possible to repair the denture as long as it’s not too badly damaged, so make sure that you keep it safe while waiting for your appointment. Remember, you shouldn’t try to make any repairs on your own.

How We Treat Broken Dentures:

In many cases, minor damage to your dentures can be fixed. That said, you will need to get new dentures if your old ones have been broken to the point that they can’t be fixed anymore. This could be a good opportunity to look into getting dental implants for your dentures to improve their stability and chewing strength in the future.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Learn More About All-on-4 Dental Implants

Loose Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

The only time a loose tooth is not an emergency is when it’s a baby tooth that’s due to fall out. Loose permanent teeth, meanwhile, need to be treated as soon as possible.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth:

Trying to chew with the tooth in question could make the problem worse, so avoid doing so. It’s not advisable to brush a loose tooth, but rinsing with warm water can help it stay clean.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth:

The first question we need to answer is whether the tooth can be saved. We’ll do whatever we can to help it stay in your mouth. But even if the tooth does have to be removed, you might be able to replace it with a bridge or a dental implant so that you can maintain a full smile.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Implants

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Gums, Lips, or Tongue Injury

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

A cut on the soft tissues in your mouth can sometimes be accompanied by considerable bleeding. A dental professional may be able to treat your injury, so stay calm and give our office a call.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue:

As with any kind of cut, you need to keep the injured area clean to prevent it from becoming infected, so quickly rinse your mouth with water. Then press down on the area with a piece of gauze and wait for the bleeding to stop.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue:

Smaller wounds can be stitched shut. More severe injuries – particularly those that cause bleeding that doesn’t stop – should be handled by the local emergency room.

Jaw Pain or Clenching

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain might be linked to several oral health issues, and living with constant discomfort can take its toll on your ability to enjoy life. If you set up an appointment with us, we can figure out what’s causing your pain and determine whether treatment is necessary.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain:

Get in touch with the emergency room if the pain is caused by a severe injury like a dislocated jaw. Otherwise, we recommend that you call our office for personalized tips on treating your jaw pain at home.

How We Treat Jaw Pain:

When we examine your jaw, we might find that the pain is due to a TMJ disorder. We may be able to treat this type of issue with an oral splint. Other services may be suggested if the cause of your pain lies somewhere else.

Learn More About TMJ Treatment

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Having food stuck between your teeth may not seem like an emergency, and most of the time it isn’t. In fact, you’ll often be able to solve the problem by yourself just by flossing or rinsing with water. (Stay away from toothpicks, though; using a sharp piece of wood to clean between your teeth can lead to gum injuries all too easily).

You might need emergency care if the object is causing you a lot of pain and/or you have been unable to remove it on your own.  If you’re not sure whether urgent care is needed, call our office to see what our team suggests.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental team member showing a form to a patient

The cost of emergency dentistry in New York varies from patient to patient. You may be tempted to put it off, especially if you think “it’s not that big of a deal.” However, doing so can lead to more serious issues that cost more time and money.

Once a member of our team evaluates your situation, a more accurate explanation of the entire process will be provided. The good thing about dental care is that is usually much less expensive than if you were undergoing a medical emergency. This is why you can count on us to discuss the potential cost of your care, as we will have a clear understanding of the problem and how we plan to treat it. You can trust that Dr. Newman and our team will identify ways to keep your costs low and affordable. We’ll also be happy to process your dental insurance claims to help offset the out-of-pocket costs of your treatment.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Because we cannot predict how much your emergency dental visit will cost, it’s imperative that you schedule a visit with us so we can take a look and make one or more necessary recommendations. If seen early enough, you may only require antibiotics, which can be relatively cheap. But if you wait until your problem worsens, you can be faced with more extensive and complex dental care, including:

  • Root canal therapy
  • Tooth extraction
  • Dental crowns
  • Periodontal treatment
  • And more…

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Some dental insurance companies may pay for one emergency exam each year. You’ll need to check with your insurer to find out if this is available. Of course, much of the cost associated with your care will be tied to the type of treatment recommended by Dr. Newman. When examining your plan, you will likely receive anywhere from 50-80% off the total cost based on your deductible and annual maximum. At Gramercy Dental Studio, we will help you through the financial process, working on your behalf to file any claims and necessary paperwork to make your experience less stressful.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you are uninsured or need help to keep your dental emergency costs more affordable, your emergency dentist in New York is pleased to provide financing options and accepts everything from Visa and Mastercard to Discover and American Express. By seeking alternative ways to pay for your upcoming treatment, you can better manage your budget while taking care of your developing smile.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

It’s not always possible to avoid dental emergencies, but it is possible to minimize the severity of your problem by seeking treatment early on. When a nagging toothache won’t go away or an infection forms because of poor oral hygiene, it’s far better to see a professional early on instead of waiting for it to get better on its own. With regular dental checkups and good at-home oral habits practiced, you can reduce your risk for dental emergencies and maintain a healthier smile. You’ll also likely save thousands of dollars on restorative treatment over time.

This is why Dr. Newman stresses the importance of seeing a professional as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the greater your risk for an abscess, gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and more. Even if the damage doesn’t cause immediate pain, the problem can exist in areas you cannot see and may require you to undergo extensive procedures like root canal therapy, periodontal therapy, tooth extraction, or other forms of oral surgery.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman smiling while brushing her teeth

Not all dental emergencies can be avoided, but they’re actually more preventable than they seem. While it’s impossible to predict a sudden accident that breaks or knocks out a tooth, most emergencies arise when an oral health issue has been brewing beneath the surface for some time, culminating in pain once it has reached a certain point. Luckily, you can dramatically reduce your risk of smile damage by making a few tiny changes to some of your daily habits. Here are five easy ways that you can prevent dental emergencies in New York.

Visit Our Dental Office Regularly

Many oral health concerns are barely noticeable at first, but Dr. Newman can detect them early enough that they can be treated before they harm your smile. For this reason, you should visit us for checkups and cleanings regularly, usually twice a year. In addition, our team can give you a professional teeth cleaning to remove built-up plaque and tartar deposits that you may have missed in your at-home oral care routine. Since these substances are frequently to blame for tooth decay and infections, having them cleared away at regular intervals goes a long way toward avoiding the need to visit an emergency dental office in New York.

Keep Your Smile Clean at Home

Committing to a great oral hygiene routine is another effective method of preventing dental emergencies. Twice a day, spend at least two minutes gently brushing every surface of your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We also highly suggest that you floss every night before bed; it’s the only way to remove food debris and bacteria from between your teeth.

Watch What You Eat

A balanced diet will benefit your smile just as much as it will your overall health. Enjoying sugary sweets in moderation is fine, but make sure your diet primarily consists of nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean meats. Not only will you reduce your sugar intake (which in turn lowers your risk of cavities), but you’ll also be getting the vitamins and minerals you need to promote healthy teeth and gums.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

Do you play a sport that carries the risk of impact to the face? Do you frequently wake up with sore teeth due to nighttime teeth grinding? If your answer to either of these questions is “yes,” then it’s worth your while to invest in a custom mouthguard. These oral appliances fit comfortably over your teeth, shielding them from damage due to sports-related injuries or long-term wear and tear from teeth grinding.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Cracking open a bottle or tearing a package open with your teeth might sound like a time-saver but trust us when we say it’s just not worth it. The few seconds you may have saved with these dangerous habits could easily lead to a chipped tooth or other dental emergency. Protect your smile by taking the extra time to reach for the bottle opener or other appropriate tool.

Dental Emergency FAQs

If you’re facing a dental emergency, you probably have questions. Not to worry. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of frequently asked questions about dental emergencies to help you get back to your life more quickly and easily. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact our New York dental office.

What If My Child Knocks Out a Baby Tooth?

If an adult loses a tooth, you should try to reattach it if you can. However, do NOT do this for a primary tooth. A baby tooth should not be replanted. It could cause damage while the underlying adult tooth is still developing.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe?

X-rays are a perfectly safe and normal part of a visit to the dentist’s office. They only have a very small risk, because the levels of radiation are kept so low. Still, they are necessary after a dental emergency so that Dr. Newman can see what’s wrong and come up with a plan to treat you. High-speed films are used to keep your exposure to radiation to an absolute minimum.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

If your tooth is chipped to the point where the nerves are exposed, or if your tooth has fallen out and needs to be reattached, Dr. Newman may recommend a root canal. This is where the nerve of a tooth is removed and replaced with synthetic material. Root canals have a reputation for being scary and painful, but thanks to modern dentistry, there is nothing to be afraid of. Before the procedure begins, Dr. Newman will make sure you are nice and numb, so you don’t feel a thing. In addition, sedation is available for our more anxious patients to calm their nerves.