When most people think of a dental emergency, they picture a chipped tooth or a sudden toothache—or perhaps even a displaced tooth due to a sports injury or accidental fall. But in reality, dentists from all over have encountered situations so bizarre they sound almost made up! From unusual DIY tooth repair to truly shocking discoveries, here’s a closer look at some of the strangest things that dentists have ever recovered.
The Miniature Garden
In one unforgettable case, a dentist performing a root canal discovered something very unexpected inside a patient’s tooth: a tiny sprouting plant! Seeds had become trapped in the decayed tooth, and believe it or not, had everything they needed to begin growing. While rare, this goes to show that cavities are literal openings in teeth that can trap far more than bacteria.
Not-So-Super Glue
When a crown or filling falls out, it might seem like an easy, DIY fix that you can even perform with household super glue. At least, that’s what one patient thought—before they ended up gluing their teeth and lips together! Needless to say, what would’ve been a quick fix for their dentist became a full-blown emergency.
Bridging the Gap
Plaque and tartar buildup are more dangerous than many people realize, and in one case, a patient saw years of hardened calculus forming a solid “bridge” between their teeth. When they attempted to clean it themselves, they were a little too aggressive—and several teeth ended up falling out because the tartar was actually the only thing still holding them in place. Routine dental checkups and cleanings ensure this buildup can’t become too severe.
Home Improvement
Tooth pain can sometimes make people feel desperate; however, you never want to take things as far as one patient did. Instead of visiting their dentist, they decided to turn to the power tools in their garage, attempting to drill into the tooth on their own. Unsurprisingly, the drill bit became stuck, leading to a very serious emergency that might’ve ended much worse.
While these cases may sound shocking or even unbelievable at times, they all share one important takeaway: ignoring dental problems or trying to fix them yourself can make things far worse! With that in mind, if you’re experiencing tooth pain, swelling, or other symptoms that are unusual, don’t wait to get help.
About the Practice
Under the talented leadership of Dr. Arpan Patel, Dr. Niki Jayswal, and Dr. Ann Han, our team here at Plexus Dental of Plano proudly serves patients and families all across the North Texas community. We offer a wide variety of services, ranging from routine preventive care to same-day and weekend emergency dentistry for patients with urgent needs—no matter how strange they might seem! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to schedule an appointment, you can call or reach out online for more information or assistance. Telephone: (469) 241-0350.