What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental concern requires a same-day visit, but some situations genuinely cannot wait. You should call our Queens emergency dental office right away if you experience:
- Severe, persistent tooth pain — especially throbbing pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
- A knocked-out tooth — this is a time-critical emergency; getting to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes dramatically increases the chance of saving the tooth
- A cracked or fractured tooth — especially if you can feel sharp edges or the crack extends below the gumline
- A dental abscess — a pimple-like bump on the gums, facial swelling, or fever alongside tooth pain can indicate a spreading infection that requires urgent treatment
- A lost or broken crown or filling — the exposed tooth is vulnerable to further damage, decay, and pain
- Significant bleeding from the gums or mouth that won't stop
- A partially dislodged tooth — a tooth that feels loose or pushed out of position after an injury
If you're ever unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us anyway. We'd rather help you assess it over the phone than have you suffer or delay necessary care.
Same-Day Emergency Dental Treatments in Queens, NY
Our Kew Gardens dental office is equipped to handle a wide range of urgent dental situations in a single visit:
Emergency Root Canal Therapy
Severe toothache is often a sign that decay or infection has reached the pulp — the inner tissue of the tooth where nerves and blood vessels are housed. When this happens, an emergency root canal is frequently the most effective way to relieve pain and save the tooth.
While you wait to be seen: Apply a cold pack or ice wrapped in a cloth to the outside of your jaw to reduce swelling. Take ibuprofen as directed on the label to manage pain. Avoid applying heat, which can worsen swelling and pain.
Chipped or Broken Teeth Repair
A chipped or broken tooth can happen in an instant — from biting into something hard, a sports collision, or an accidental fall. The severity of the break determines your treatment options.
Minor chips may be repaired with cosmetic bonding or a dental crown — and if you need a crown quickly, ask about our same-day crown option. More extensive fractures may require evaluation to determine if the tooth can be saved or needs extraction.
If pieces break off: Collect any fragments in a small bag or container and bring them to your appointment. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water, and take ibuprofen for discomfort. Avoid chewing on the affected side.
Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
A completely knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies — and one where acting within the first hour makes the biggest difference. If your tooth has been knocked out:
- Pick it up by the crown (the white part), never the root
- Rinse it gently with water if dirty — do not scrub or use soap
- Try to reinsert it into the socket if possible and bite down gently to hold it in place
- If you can't reinsert it, keep it moist — submerged in a small container of milk, or between your cheek and gum
- Call us immediately and come in as fast as possible
Every minute counts with a knocked-out tooth. The faster you reach our Queens office, the better the chances of successful reimplantation.
Lost Filling or Dental Crown
A lost filling or crown leaves the underlying tooth structure exposed and vulnerable to sensitivity, further decay, and pain. While it may not feel urgent, it's important to get it addressed quickly to avoid more extensive damage.
Temporary measures: Dental cement or temporary filling material (available at most pharmacies) can protect the area until your appointment. For a lost crown, you can try carefully reseating it with a small amount of dental cement — but don't use super glue. Avoid chewing on that side.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is too severely damaged or infected to be saved through other means, an emergency extraction may be the fastest way to eliminate pain and prevent the spread of infection. Our Queens emergency dentists will evaluate your situation thoroughly and only recommend extraction when it's genuinely the best remaining option.
If a tooth does need to be removed, we'll discuss your restoration options — including dental implants and dental bridges — so you have a plan in place for replacing it. Learn more about our tooth extraction services in Queens.
Dental Abscess Treatment
A dental abscess is a bacterial infection that causes a pocket of pus to form at the root of a tooth or in the surrounding gum tissue. Signs include a persistent throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, swelling in the face or jaw, fever, and a foul taste in your mouth.
Abscesses are serious — the infection can spread to your jaw, neck, or bloodstream if left untreated. This is a genuine dental emergency. Call our Queens office immediately if you suspect an abscess.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency — Quick Reference
EmergencyImmediate ActionCall UsKnocked-out toothKeep moist, don't touch root, try to reinsertWithin 30 minutesSevere toothacheIce pack outside jaw, take ibuprofenSame dayBroken toothCollect pieces, rinse mouth, avoid chewing on itSame dayLost filling/crownProtect with temp cement, avoid that sideWithin 24 hoursDental abscessDo not pop, take ibuprofen, apply cold packImmediatelyBleeding that won't stopBite down on gauze or clean clothImmediately
New Patients Welcome — No Referral Needed
You don't need to be an existing patient to receive emergency dental care at Kew Gardens Dental Arts. We welcome new patients in pain and will do everything we can to see you the same day you call. We accept most PPO insurance plans and offer flexible financing options including our Smile Now, Pay-Over-Time program.
For patients who experience anxiety during dental treatment, we also offer sedation dentistry — including nitrous oxide — to help you stay calm and comfortable even during urgent procedures.
