Dental Emergency NYC

New York City Dental Emergencies Treated at 172 NYC Dental

The dentists at 172 NYC Dental in New York City specialize in a variety of different dental emergency treatments. No matter what kind of urgent situation you encounter, you can count on high-quality care at our Manhattan office. Some of the more common dental emergencies we see include:

Toothaches: Pain is nature’s way of alerting us that something is wrong in our body. There is chronic pain that occurs over a long period of time and acute pain that comes on quickly. It is the acute, severe pain that is considered to be a dental emergency. Chronic pain should be addressed by making an appointment during normal office hours, this is not considered to be an emergency. 

Abscesses: A dental abscess forms as a pocket of pus in the gums or at the base of a tooth. The cause can stem from a badly decayed tooth, a broken tooth that was left untreated, or from failed root canal therapy. A periodontal abscess (gum) forms as a result of periodontal disease, loss of bone, trapping foreign matter (food debris) under the gum, or hormonal changes that are seen in the first trimester of pregnancy. Signs of an abscess may show as a “bubble” of pus around the infected area. Sudden intense pain, throbbing pain that increases if one lies down are indicative of an abscess. Patients experience extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, to pressure (tapping or chewing). A dental abscess is considered to be an emergency, it must be treated as soon as possible. If left untreated the infection can spread leading to fever, swollen glands, and intense pain (especially at night).  Abscesses are typically treated by draining the infected site (curettage, extraction, root canal therapy, incise and drain) and by prescribing a regiment of antibiotics. Follow up appointments are necessary to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient.

Infections: Infections (invasion of bacteria, virus, or other pathogens) in the mouth are serious. If left untreated it can spread to other tissues in the body, make a patient feel sick with pain, headache, and fever. Infections,  such as those caused by periodontitis (infection of gums) can lead to loosening of teeth and eventual tooth loss. 

Swollen gums: An acute swelling (coupled with pain)  in the gums or any other part of the mouth indicates that there is inflammation and possible infection in the area. This rapid onset change is considered to be a dental emergency and should be observed as soon as possible. Long-standing swelling (usually without pain) should also be treated during normal office hours and is not considered to be a dental emergency.

Trauma or accidents impacting one or more teeth: If teeth are loose, cracked, or have been knocked out (try to hold on to avulsed teeth, by placing them in gauze or glass of milk). If there is a great deal of bleeding, fractured jaw, or facial bones it is best to go to a hospital emergency room. Giving a clear, comprehensive medical history is especially important. 

Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth: Crack teeth present as thin vertical lines going through the enamel of the tooth. Many times these cracks are caused by occlusal (bite) problems. These cracks can and should be treated but are not considered to be urgent. Chipped teeth can be caused by grinding one’s teeth at night, hard foods, or mild trauma. Chipped teeth may be unsightly or even mildly annoying, however, they are not considered to be a dental emergency. Broken teeth (where a large part of the tooth is missing, there is pain, the nerve can be exposed must be treated as a dental emergency. Patients will have an exam, a radiograph, and a photo taken. The tooth will be evaluated and addressed to make the patient comfortable. Depending upon the severity of the condition additional visits may be necessary. Our patient will leave our office, hopefully, pain-free.

Lost or loose fillings, onlays, crowns, veneers, and bridges:  All of these conditions need to be treated. Whether or not they are deemed to be a dental emergency depends upon the symptoms that they illicit. A lost crown or filling, a severely broken tooth is a dental emergency. These conditions must be treated quickly to avoid further damage. Loose fillings, crowns, and bridges also need to be corrected but are not considered to be an emergency. The patient should book an appointment during normal office hours. What constitutes an emergency, is swelling, pain, bleeding or the potential for something to worsen rapidly. Our office prides itself not only in emergency care. We excel in all forms of restorative cosmetic work too. We specialize in implant dentistry, bonded resin fillings, porcelain onlays, and crowns. Our doctors specialize in their unique areas of expertise such as surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry.

Jaw Pain: Jaw pain has many different causes. It can be as benign as a broken tooth or as serious as a heart attack. Common causes of jaw pain include Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. In this condition from chronic misalignment of one’s teeth, the patient will grind or clench their teeth, usually while sleeping (bruxism). The relationship of the lower jaw (condyle) is misplaced in the upper jaw (glenoid fossa) causing the muscles that hold the lower jaw to the skull to go into spasm. This discomfort can extend to the neck, back, and facial muscles. Dental cavities (caries), exposure of the dental pulp (nerve) due to trauma or decay will also cause diffuse pain in the jaw. Medical conditions such as tumors, trigeminal nerve neuralgia, diabetes, and heart attacks (left side jaw pain)  can present with pain in the jaw. If the pain is immediate (acute) and severe it should be deemed a dental emergency. If the pain has persisted under the radar for a time the patient should make an appointment under normal office hours.

At 172 NYC Dental, we commonly treat patients who have knocked a tooth out of their mouth. Sometimes our dentist can replace this dislodged tooth; as long as it is placed back in the tooth socket within one to two hours of the injury. Our emergency dentist in Manhattan will observe the tooth to make sure that there are no fractures and that the root is intact.