Dental emergencies

Call. Do not book online and wait.

We keep time back each day for problems that cannot wait, and we are open until 8:00 pm on Tuesday and from 8:00 am on Saturday. If something hurts or has broken, phone the practice.

Request Appointment Call (516) 747-2400

What counts as an emergency

Pain that stops you sleeping

Throbbing that wakes you, or that painkillers no longer touch. It usually means the nerve is involved. Root canals.

Swelling

A swollen face or gum, particularly with fever or difficulty swallowing. This one is urgent — call us, and if you cannot reach us, go to an emergency room.

A knocked-out or broken tooth

Especially a permanent tooth in a child. The first hour matters more than anything else you will do.

What to do before you get here

First steps

Knocked-out tooth: hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse briefly in milk or saline if dirty, do not scrub. Put it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk. Call immediately.
Broken tooth: rinse with warm water, save any pieces, and use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling.
Toothache: rinse with warm salt water and floss gently either side in case something is trapped. Painkillers as you would normally take them. Do not put aspirin against the gum.
Lost crown or filling: keep the piece, avoid chewing on that side, and do not use household glue.
Bitten lip or tongue: clean gently, press with gauze, cold compress. If bleeding does not stop, go to an emergency room.

Questions

Asked often.

It is the middle of the night.

For severe swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or trauma to the face, go to a hospital emergency room. For pain, manage it with painkillers and call us first thing.

I am not a patient here. Will you see me?

Call and ask. We will help if we can, and if we cannot see you quickly enough we will tell you rather than leave you waiting.

How much will it cost?

We will tell you before we start. The first appointment is usually about getting you out of pain; the rest can be planned afterwards.

Can I be sedated?

Yes, if it is appropriate for what needs doing. Mention it when you call.