Emergency Dentistry

At Woodside Dental Care, we provide emergency dental care that helps to restore a tooth that sustains damage from an accident or infection. If you live in Queens or the surrounding area, we encourage you to save our phone number. Since there is no way to tell if or when you may have a dental emergency, putting (718) 682-7559 in your contact list can save you a trip to the emergency room.

Do I need emergency dentistry? Call us if…

  • Toothache – Did you brush, rinse and floss and it still hurts.
  • Tooth Knocked Out
  • Gum/Tongue/Cheek Injuries – If bleeding will not stop.
  • Broken/Loose Braces – Call your orthodontist immediately.
  • Chipped/Broken Teeth – If the chip is significant or your tooth is cracked or your tooth is in pieces.
  • Lost Filling/Crown
  • Tooth Loose
  • Abscess

Reasons for Needing an Emergency Dental Visit

The American Dental Association reported that the number one cause of adult tooth damage every year is playing sports. This spans all types of athletics and creates the need for emergency appointments throughout Queens NY. Even a backyard game of basketball can lead to someone damaging a tooth or someone knocking a player's tooth out. The same holds true for kids playing sports as well. While there are ways to protect yourself like wearing a mouth guard, a dental emergency is still possible. When an emergency strikes call (718) 682-7559.

Car accidents are another leading cause of tooth injury. While the enamel on your teeth is strong, it may not be strong enough to prevent your tooth from breaking when colliding with the steering wheel. With millions of accidents a year, teeth are a common victim. We recommend that patients of Woodside Dental Care get examined at a local emergency room after being in a car accident; just to make sure that they have not sustained any physical injuries. Afterward, call us for a dentist appointment. The emergency room does not treat tooth damage, so you will need to see both types of medical providers.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Emergency Dentist in Queens, NY.

Queens, New York Emergency Dentist

Severe and sudden toothaches are another reason people in New York end up needing an emergency dentist. We can examine teeth and determine what is causing the pain. It may be a little cavity that grew into a big one and now requires a root canal. Another possibility is gum disease, which can cause the gums to recede, exposing the tooth and roots. Both can lead to intense pain and require emergency treatment. We do not want patients of Woodside Dental Care to experience oral pain and will do our best to treat you right away so that you can remain comfortable.

If a tooth infection is left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to a dental abscess. This is extremely painful. An abscess is a major tooth infection that can settle into your jawbone and the floor of your mouth. If it does, oral surgery may be necessary in order to remove the infection. We can let you know if we see an abscess during your dental exam with Maribel Montes, DDS, Melvin Velazquez, DDS and Sylvia Arsuaga, DMD.

99% of dental related emergency room trips could have been handled by an emergency dental office for a fraction of the cost.
AHRQ, November 2012

Treatment Options for Damaged Teeth

If the individual damages a tooth in the accident, an emergency room will be able to stop the bleeding, but will not be able to repair or even possibly save the tooth itself. Thus, once the individual is able to return home and leave the emergency room, the parent needs to call an emergency dentist. As a dentist, not only can we repair, replace or save a damaged tooth, but we can also provide specialized emergency care for the patient. Several treatments that we offer our patients include:

When a tooth has fallen out…
If your tooth has been knocked out, try to find it. Once located, rinse the tooth under warm water without scrubbing it. Next, place it in a cup of milk and bring it with you to your dental appointment. We will try to save the tooth, if possible. If not, we will discuss options for replacing the tooth. This may include dentures, a dental bridge or dental implants.

72% of Americans have some type of restorative dental work. 23% of all dental emergencies are related to the restorations.

When a tooth is broken…
It is common for people to damage a tooth while playing sports or getting into a car accident. It is likely that the tooth will become cracked or chipped. As long as the tooth structure remains in place, we can typically correct it with various dental treatment options. There are multiple ways that we can restore a patient's teeth. Some of which include dental veneers and a dental crown. Both are excellent options and can restore your tooth to full functionality while keeping it natural looking. As an emergency dental facility, we can provide you with information on what your options are and the best way to restore your tooth while achieving the goals that you have for your smile. To schedule an appointment, call (718) 682-7559.

When a tooth is infected…
As an emergency dentist, we will assess the situation and inform you of where the infection is and the best way to quickly treat it. Our job is to keep you comfortable, healthy and pain-free. Patients trust us to remove infections and keep their teeth and gums in excellent oral health. Whether fixing a general cavity or treating a dental abscess, we make it possible for a tooth to be free from infection and pain. We can resolve the issue in a way that keeps patients comfortable during any necessary procedures.

Misconceptions about emergency surgery

While any form of emergency surgery can be an uncomfortable and negative topic for people, there are many misconceptions about surgery that people believe. When it comes to emergency endodontic surgery, the process is much less painful than people believe. In reality, the procedure itself will not be painful, since the endodontist will use anesthesia to numb the area and put the patient under, if necessary.

When it comes to treating an infected, chipped or cracked tooth, the patient will feel less pain following the procedure. The longer a patient avoids professional treatment, the worse the pain is going to get. Another misconception is that the only solution is to remove the tooth. The reality is that an endodontist will attempt every method possible to save a portion of the natural tooth.

No matter how much oral hygiene one performs at home, there is always the chance of an injury. When one damages a tooth, it is important to call a specialist who has the experience to know the most effective course of action. An endodontist will be able to treat an injury from an emergency as soon as possible, so that the patient can eventually return to natural use of the tooth.

Seeking treatment from a general dentist will be a waste of time, since the general dentist will not be able to provide the necessary level of care the patient needs. In this situation, the dentist will refer the patient to someone else, prolonging the amount of time the patient spends in pain. Fortunately, an endodontist can repair the tooth and help eliminate the pain from the injury.

How can I relieve dental pain while waiting for an emergency dental appointment?

We can help patients to stay comfortable and live a life that is pain-free. If you visit Woodside Dental Care experiencing pain, we will identify what is creating the issue and the treatment options available for dealing with it. Often, we will also prescribe medication to help with the pain. This can prevent you from feeling discomfort while your tooth is being treated and at home. You may also want to apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area in order to reduce or prevent swelling.

Questions Answered on This Page

Q. How do I know I need an emergency dentist?

Q. What services does an emergency dentist provide?

Q. Is there any way to prevent an oral injury?

People Also Ask

Q. What dental services can help treat an infection?

Q. What is the most durable tooth replacement?

Definition of Dental Emergency Terminology

Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus the forms in the tooth root from a bacterial infection.
Cementum
Cementum is that bone-like tissue that forms the outer surface on the root of the tooth.
Dental Pulp
Dental pulp is the inner-most layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
Dentin
Dentin is the inner layer of the tooth structure that is immediately under the enamel and surrounds the dental pulp.
Direct Pulp Cap
A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.
Facial Cellulitis
Facial cellulitis is a condition in which an infection from an abscess or plaque in the teeth causes pain and spreads throughout the face.
Impacted Wisdom Tooth
An impacted wisdom tooth is a tooth that does not erupt from the gums properly that can cause pain and become infected without professional extraction.
Irreversible Pulpitis
Irreversible pulpitis is when the pain in the tooth occurs spontaneously or continues to hurt after the patient removes the hot/cold substance that was causing pain. Normal pulpitis will cease hurting directly after removing what is causing the pain.
Lateral Luxation
Lateral luxation is the displacement of a tooth that moves it in the wrong direction while it is still attached to the gums.
Pericoronitis
Pericoronitis is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding a tooth that does not fully erupt from the gums and causes pain.
Tooth Avulsion
Tooth avulsion is when the tooth completely displaces from the socket due to an accident or other health issues. We can replant the tooth if the patient seeks immediate care.
Tooth Fracture
A tooth fracture can result from multiple sources including an accidental elbow to the face during a sports game, biting on something really hard, falling face first and more.

Helpful Related Links

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap — use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Get to the Emergency Dentist immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Contact your emergency dental office as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.

Contact your Dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office.

You need immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. A severe head injury can be life-threatening.

Call our office immediately. Over-the-counter children's pain medication, dosed according to your child's weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.