Emergency Dentist Plano

Timely Dental Care You Can Trust

Man in light purple shirt with jaw pain

Dental emergencies don’t always occur during normal operating hours, so if you find yourself with a cracked tooth, a broken denture, intense jaw pain, or a bothersome toothache, don’t wait to call Plexus Dental of Plano. We offer same-day and weekend emergency appointments so that you don’t have to endure persistent pain. Instead, our emergency dentist in Plano will work quickly to identify the problem and get you the help you need.

Why Choose Plexus Dental of Plano for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Children & Adult Dental Patients Are Welcome
  • Dental Team Schedules Same-Day & Weekend Emergency Appointments
  • Bilingual Staff for Improved Communication

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Female dentist examining little boy's teeth

Treating dental emergencies in-house is one of the many reasons so many patients continue to trust us with their oral healthcare needs. When calling to alert us to your situation, we work fast to schedule an appointment and provide helpful ways to manage the pain while you wait. As soon as you arrive, we’ll begin taking digital images of your mouth before Dr. Jayswal or Dr. Patel examines the problem area. After building a treatment plan that indicates the type of damage and which restorative solution will be best to improve the situation, one of our dentists will determine if you can receive same-day treatment or if you need to return for more extensive care at a later date.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

There are many dental emergencies that our dentists can treat in-house. This not only means greater convenience for you and your family, but it also keeps you from sitting in an ER waiting area for hours. The icons below indicate the type of injuries we see regularly, but if you sustain a broken jaw or experience excessive bleeding or swelling, do not wait to get to a local emergency room.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Close up of smiling piggy bank

The only way we can determine how much your dental emergency will cost is by performing an oral examination on the day you arrive. We’ll survey the damage and determine the severity before building a plan and indicating which type of restorative treatment we’ll use to repair your smile. These factors, as well as others, will be used to create your cost estimate, which we will review with you. Our team will also go over ways you can save by using your dental insurance, flexible financing, or enrolling in our in-house membership plan.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Tooth, toothbrush, toothpaste, and cup of mouth rinse

You can’t prevent every kind of dental emergency, but you can take steps to lower your risk, especially when it comes to those that form because of poor oral health and hygiene. Some preventive measures you can take include:

  • Meeting with Dr. Jayswal or Dr. Patel for regular six-month dental exams and cleanings.
  • Staying on top of your oral hygiene routine, which means brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash regularly.
  • Giving up bad habits, like smoking or eating ice.
  • Protecting your mouth while playing sports or if you grind your teeth. We can supply you with a custom athletic mouthguard or nightguard.
  • Eating healthy foods as opposed to sugars and starches, and being mindful when attempting to eat hard, crunchy foods.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Throbbing tooth pain doesn’t always seem serious, but if you’re experiencing sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact our office in Plano for same-day emergency care.

How You Should Handle a Toothache: After calling to schedule an appointment, we’ll be able to provide you with first-aid tips over the phone to help you find temporary relief. This includes rinsing with warm salt water, using a cold compress, taking OTC pain relievers, and avoiding chewing on that side of the mouth.

How We Treat Toothaches: How we treat your toothache depends on its source. If the tooth is damaged or decayed, we might recommend a crown or filling; however, in some cases, more intensive care, like a root canal, might be needed. We’ll be sure to discuss all treatment options with you before getting started, but know that pain relief is our top priority! 

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? If the chip is so severe that you’re experiencing quite a bit of sensitivity or pain, it warrants calling our office and scheduling an appointment. Chipped teeth do not get better on their own!

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: If there are any broken pieces of your tooth, gather them and store them in a small, clean container for safekeeping until your appointment. Then, gently rinse your mouth with clean, room-temperature water. You can place some sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax over the chipped tooth if there is a sharp edge.  

How We Treat Chipped Teeth: Cosmetic bonding is the go-to treatment for teeth with minor chips. If the damage is more substantial or if the chipped tooth is one of your molars, we might suggest another type of solution, like a veneer or a metal-free restoration. 

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? A cracked tooth is considered a dental emergency since it’s at further risk of damage or infection, not to mention, it can also affect your ability to bite and chew. Call our office as soon as you notice a crack in one or more of your teeth.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: There are a few different steps you can take here; we often recommend rinsing your mouth periodically with clean, room-temperature water to help keep things sanitary. You should also only eat soft foods and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth if possible.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth: First, we’ll need to make sure the tooth can be saved—in which case, we may recommend a dental crown or similar treatment to restore its appearance and function. If the tooth isn’t viable, we may recommend extracting it and replacing it with a new restoration so that your smile isn’t compromised. 

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? That depends largely on how severe your symptoms are. For example, if you’ve been dealing with considerable sensitivity for 24+ hours, then we do recommend calling our team at Plexus Dental of Plano right away to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Fortunately, there are a few ways you can alleviate the discomfort you’re experiencing in the short term, like taking OTC pain medication as directed. It’s also important that you avoid doing anything that could exacerbate your symptoms, including drinking hot coffee or ice-cold water.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: First, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam to pinpoint what’s causing your dental sensitivity. Then, we can review the different restorative treatments, like a root canal, and answer any questions you have so you can confidently decide how you want to proceed.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, so it’s important that you call us ASAP. Over the phone, we will schedule an appointment at our office within the hour and give you instructions on how to handle your knocked-out tooth so we have the highest chances of being able to save it.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: In addition to scheduling an emergency appointment at our office, we recommend locating the tooth and, if you find it, picking it up by the crown. Then, you can either place it back in its socket or put it in a clean container filled with milk.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: Our goal is always to save your natural teeth. Sadly, however, there are some cases where that’s simply not possible, like if the tooth was lost. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry – we can replace it with a custom dental bridge or implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Although your tooth isn’t in immediate danger, the chances of it breaking or developing an infection increase significantly without your restoration securely in place. So, if you can, we recommend coming to our office the same day.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: If you have a lost filling or a lost dental crown in Plano, then calling us to schedule an appointment is a top priority. Outside of that, focus on doing what you can to protect your tooth and your restoration, like not chewing on that side of your mouth.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: That depends! For example, if you lost a dental filling, then we can provide you with a new one. If your dental crown fell out, but you have it and it’s in good condition, then recementing it back in place may be the best option.

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Yes! This answer may surprise you, but it’s important to remember that everything from your ability to chew to your ability to enunciate clearly is compromised with a broken denture. Not only that, but continuing to wear it can cause it to break further. So, it’s best to call our team at Plexus Dental of Plano sooner rather than later.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: There are a few steps we recommend taking if you have a broken denture in Plano, starting with calling us to schedule an appointment. You should also place your restoration in a small, clean container to reduce the chances of it breaking further.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: There’s a good chance that we’ll be able to repair minor damage at our office. If there is a considerable crack or your dentures have broken into multiple pieces, however, then we will either need to send them back to the dental lab or begin the process of having a new one made.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes! After all, the more time that passes, the higher the chances are of the tooth falling out completely. So, it’s of the utmost importance that you call us ASAP, especially if yours feels like it’s on the brink of falling out.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Calling us to schedule an emergency visit is extremely important. It’s also crucial that you avoid doing anything that could cause your tooth to loosen further in the meantime, like chewing on that side of your mouth.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: Sometimes, a loose permanent tooth can be saved with a dental splint. Other times, the tooth is beyond saving, which warrants an extraction. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry – we can replace it with a custom dental bridge or implant as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Oftentimes, soft tissue injuries like these can be alarming because they bleed a lot. The good news is that they can usually be handled at home quickly and painlessly with the steps mentioned below.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: First, use clean, cool water to gently rinse your mouth. After that, apply pressure to the cut with gauze or a damp, clean washcloth. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can use a cold compress to alleviate inflammation as well.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Usually, soft tissue injuries don’t require a same-day visit to our office. You should, however, go to the ER or call 911 if the cut is bleeding uncontrollably or you’re experiencing any other potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Usually, no. With that said, you don’t have to suffer. If your jaw pain is consistent, it’s progressively getting worse, or it has developed to the point that it’s negatively impacting your day-to-day life, then you shouldn’t hesitate to call our team at Plexus Dental of Plano.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Icing the outside of your jaw and taking OTC pain medication as directed can help immensely. It’s also a good idea to avoid doing anything that could exacerbate your symptoms, like chewing on gum.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: First, we need to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. If you haven’t had your wisdom teeth removed yet, then there’s a good chance that they are the culprit. If you have, then it’s likely that the root of the problem is either TMJ dysfunction or chronic teeth grinding.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you get something lodged between your teeth, don’t reach for something sharp. Instead, dissolve some salt in warm water and rinse with the mixture several times (this should help loosen the debris). Then, use a strand of floss to gently clean between your teeth.