Emergency Dentistry in Upper East Side New York
Those who have experienced a severe toothache know how debilitating dental pain can be. Broken or dislodged teeth are often emergencies that warrant immediate attention. If you think you might have a dental emergency, call our office right away. Geghani Shahinyan, DDS, provides same-day appointments to resolve dental emergencies quickly.
Our office is at the corner of 106th Street and Madison Avenue and easily accessible from the Upper East Side and East Harlem. We offer emergency care in English, Spanish, Russian, and Armenian. There is a public transportation stop close by, and we are open on Saturdays.
Geghani Shahinyan, DDS, is always prepared for dental emergencies. We provide immediate, quality care to restore your smile and help you return to your normal activities. Our compassionate team is available when you need us, so do not hesitate to contact our office!
CALL US: (212) 534-3626 REQUEST APPOINTMENT
Comprehensive Emergency Services We Offer
Visiting an emergency dentist is important so that you can be treated with the appropriate procedures and alleviate your pain quickly. An emergency dentist can do more than just treat your pain and refer you to a specialist. We provide prompt attention to prevent further damage that can spread to adjacent teeth, soft tissue, and bone.
The following procedures can effectively treat dental emergencies:
- Bonding corrects chips or superficial cracks in teeth
- Crowns restore broken teeth and those that have undergone root canal therapy
- Root Canal Therapy treats teeth infected by deep decay that has reached the inner pulp
- Extractions remove a tooth that cannot be saved with root canal therapy
- Dental Implants replace a missing tooth and root to prevent bone loss and shifting teeth
- Reattachment of an avulsed (knocked-out) tooth is possible if treatment begins immediately and the natural tooth is available
Toothaches Need Professional Dental Help
Toothaches can cause crippling pain, and they typically do not disappear without the intervention of a professional. The pain is most likely caused by damage or decay entering the tooth's inner chamber and reaching the sensitive nerves. Damage to a tooth's pulp can lead to infection, which endangers adjacent teeth. If bacteria enter into the bloodstream, they can spread throughout the body, causing other health complications.
Often, root canal therapy can relieve toothaches and prevent the need for extraction. Root canal therapy effectively removes the damaged pulp and adds a protective crown, allowing the tooth to function normally.
Restore Previous Dental Work Immediately
Fillings and crowns are sometimes weakened over time and affected by temperature changes that cause cracks or chips. Previous dental work that becomes compromised leaves teeth vulnerable to infection and further damage. Contact our team immediately to repair or replace damaged dental work.
Emergency Treatment for Dislodged Teeth
An accident can result in a dislodged or knocked-out tooth. If pieces of the tooth remain inside the socket, it can lead to infection. If you are bleeding, apply pressure to help it stop and get professional help immediately. An ice pack can also minimize swelling while you wait to see our dentist.
Sometimes a knocked-out tooth can be successfully reintegrated into the socket if you receive immediate treatment. While waiting to see the dentist, here's what you should do:
- Hold the tooth by the crown and gently rinse with warm water.
- Reinsert the tooth back into the socket or safely tuck it inside the cheek.
- If a child is involved or the tooth cannot be kept inside the mouth, place it in a container with milk or saliva.
Broken or Chipped Teeth, Crowns, and Fillings
This type of dental emergency may happen without very much pain or discomfort, like when you bite down on a hard object or food. It is essential to seek care immediately to ensure bacteria do not enter and infect the dental pulp. When a tooth or restoration is damaged, you can purchase dental adhesive at your local pharmacy to temporarily cover the area until your emergency appointment.
Try to find and save anything knocked out, whether a whole tooth, a fragment, or a restoration. Recovering these pieces allows us to re-attach or repair them if the damage is not too extensive. Save these fragments or restorations by placing them in a container of milk, water, or even saliva, to keep the pieces hydrated.
What to Do for an Abscess
An abscess occurs when bacteria enter the dental pulp inside your tooth. A gum abscess can happen when the infection gets into the space between the gums and teeth. You may have an abscess if there is a bump or a pimple on the gum closest to the tooth root. Root canal treatment or antibiotics may be needed, but draining and cleaning the area is necessary to bring back the health of the tooth and prevent the need for an extraction.
Many people don't realize that an emergency room cannot perform an extraction or any type of restorative dental care. They can provide temporary relief of pain or prescribe antibiotics, but in most cases, they will refer you to a dentist. If you need a tooth pulled, call our experienced team as soon as possible. We can get you out of pain, repair the problem, and provide continued preventive care.
Include Dental Products in Your First Aid Kit
Including dental items in a first aid kit can provide some relief until your appointment. Consider adding these items to a box or bag and keeping them close by.
- Gauze
- Orajel™ for topical relief
- Oral pain relievers
- Over-the-counter dental adhesion to re-attach crowns
- Ice pack
For trauma that exposes your tooth root or makes normal dental function impossible, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. Apply ice on your cheek or jaw to reduce swelling. Your local pharmacy will have dental cement to cover sensitive areas. However, dental cement is only a temporary fix, and visiting our dentist will ensure a complete and safe repair. If left untreated, your discomfort will get worse, and you may need more extensive procedures.
What Can I Do to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
In addition to keeping a first-aid kit on hand, there are other things you can do to decrease your risk of experiencing a dental emergency.
Wear a Mouth Guard While Playing Sports: In any environment where you wear special gear to save your body from injury, you should also protect your teeth. You can prevent cracked, chipped, and even knocked-out teeth by wearing a mouthguard. Our team can provide you with custom-made mouthguards that fit the unique shape of your smile. These guards are beneficial for protecting your teeth during high-impact sports.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: You can avoid sudden toothaches and discomfort related to damaged teeth by maintaining good hygiene at home. Brush your teeth twice a day, every day, for at least two minutes each time. It would be best if you also flossed regularly to clean debris from between teeth, an area where your toothbrush alone cannot reach.
Follow Post-Operative Instructions: If you have recently received treatment, it's essential to follow any after-care instructions. In general, you'll need to keep the treatment site clean and avoid disturbing the area as much as possible. Avoid anything hard or sticky so that your teeth and gums are allowed to heal correctly.
Keep Regular Dental Appointments: The best way to avoid dental problems is to keep a schedule of dental visits for regular cleanings. This way, our dentist can spot problem areas before they turn into serious oral health issues.
Emergency Dentist in Upper East Side New York
If you require immediate attention for a dental emergency, Geghani Shahinyan, DDS, provides fast quality care for new and established patients. We are well-equipped and highly trained to treat your dental emergency with the most effective treatments while keeping you comfortable. We can typically handle emergencies the same day. If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, call us right away!
CALL US: (212) 534-3626 REQUEST APPOINTMENT