Emergency Dentistry

Fast, Effective Emergency Dental Care in Frisco, TX

We offer emergency dentistry services in Frisco, TX, because dental pain can be unbearable that waiting around for a dental appointment sometimes just doesn’t cut it. Our office is ready and waiting to help you through your dental emergency with skilled hands and comforting smiles. Dental pain can come from various sources, and determining the root cause is essential to getting you the much-needed treatment.

At Stonebriar Smile Design, our comprehensive understanding of dentistry enables us to quickly figure out what is causing your discomfort during dental emergencies and formulate an effective solution. We also have state-of-the-art 3D cone beam technology, which adds an entire dimension to X-rays, helping to identify a dental infection. If you’re in pain and looking for fast, effective, state-of-the-art dental care, please don’t hesitate to contact us right away.

Why Choose Stonebriar Smile Design for Emergency Dental Care?

Dedicated to Seeing Emergency Patients As Quickly As Possible

Sedation Options & Advanced Technology for Optimal Comfort

Flexible Financing to Make Emergency Dental Care Affordable

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Have a knocked-out tooth? Severe toothache? Lost or broken dental work? When you need dental care fast, you can always rely on our dental office in Frisco. Our team is trained and equipped to handle a wide variety of dental emergencies, so when you need us the most, you can trust that we’ll always be able to help. If you or a loved one needs urgent dental care, here’s what you should do:

Call us to schedule a same-day appointment: When you call us with an emergency, we’ll do everything we can to see and treat you as quickly as possible. We can also walk you through at-home care over the phone, including first aid and pain management steps.

Get an emergency exam right away: As soon as you get to our office, we’ll help make you comfortable and conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, including taking X-rays, to diagnose the issue.

Review the findings and make a plan: Based on the diagnosis, we can develop an in-depth treatment plan to ensure the problem is fixed. As soon as we determine what treatment you’ll need, we will explain it to you in detail so you don’t feel left in the dark about what will happen next.

Get the care you need comfortably: Once you’ve agreed on a treatment plan, we’ll get to work right away to preserve your teeth and protect your smile’s health. If you’re feeling particularly nervous or uncomfortable, we may recommend one of our sedation options so you can sit back and relax while you get the care you need.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Call us if you experience new, uncomfortable, or worrisome dental symptoms. We want to hear from you even if you’re unsure if you need urgent dental care! After all, dental emergencies encompass a wide variety of situations, not all of which are easy to identify right away. We can help you assess your circumstances over the phone and determine your next steps.

If you have any of the following common dental emergencies, you should give us a call immediately.

Toothaches

Toothaches can be a result of something as simple as a popcorn kernel stuck between your teeth or as serious as an infected tooth. If your toothache in Frisco doesn’t go away within 24 hours, or you notice swelling or a pimple-like bump on your gums near your affected tooth, contact our office immediately for an emergency examination.

To ease your pain, you can take an over-the-counter medication like Ibuprofen, or you can place a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10 minutes on 10 minutes off. We also recommend rinsing your mouth with salt water to sanitize the area and help with inflammation.

If your toothache is a result of something stuck between your teeth, we can gently dislodge the debris without causing any harm to your gums. Otherwise, if it’s the result of a tooth infection, we may recommend root canal therapy and a dental crown to preserve your natural tooth and cure your pain.

Sensitivity to Hot & Cold

If your dental sensitivity is mild or occurs whenever you eat something that’s hot or cold or brush your teeth, it could be a sign that you need to use a special toothpaste, like Sensodyne. However, if your sensitivity is severe, lasts several days, or only impacts one or two of your teeth, it could mean that they’re damaged, decayed, or even cracked. In these cases, it’s crucial to call us immediately to schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist in Frisco.

While there’s not much you can do at home to help ease your sensitivity, we do recommend swishing with lukewarm salt water to kill any bacteria. Also, avoid eating any foods that are acidic, sweet, or spicy that could make your sensitivity worse.

If your sensitivity is a result of enamel erosion, we may recommend a fluoride treatment to remineralize this layer of your teeth. If it’s caused by a cavity or gum disease, we may suggest gum disease therapy, a tooth-colored filling, or root canal therapy.

Chipped Tooth

Even though the damage may be minor, it’s always a good idea to get an emergency examination for a chipped tooth in Frisco. Leaving the tooth damaged can result in harmful oral bacteria gaining access to the inner chamber, leading to a tooth infection. Because of this, timely treatment is important.

If the damaged tooth is jagged and rubbing or irritating the inside of your cheeks or lips, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over the area to smooth it out. Try to find the broken-off portion of your tooth as well and bring it to your visit with you.

We’ll likely fix your chipped tooth with dental bonding, which is a cost-effective and fast treatment option that can be completed in a single visit, depending on the extent of your dental damage.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Yes, and time is of the essence! Immediately contact our office for a lost tooth in Frisco, and we’ll schedule a visit for as soon as possible. The sooner you arrive, the higher our chances are for trying to re-plant it back in its original socket.

The first thing you should do is call us. Then, try to retrieve your tooth, being sure to only handle it by the biting surface (avoiding the roots). Gently rinse it under cool water and try to place it back in its socket. If you can’t do this, you can store it in a sealable container filled with milk or saltwater to keep it viable.

If we’re able to, we’ll re-plant your tooth back in its socket; however, this isn’t always successful. In cases where this won’t work, we can restore your missing tooth with an implant-retained dental crown.

Cracked Tooth

Even if the crack in your tooth is small, it’s important to have it examined so you don’t risk your tooth becoming infected. Because cracks aren’t always easy to spot, if you have any sensitivity or experienced dental trauma, still visit us so we can thoroughly examine your mouth to make sure your teeth aren’t damaged.

Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to clean the area. If your tooth hurts, you can place a cold compress on your face or use an over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen. Try to avoid eating or drinking anything until you can reach our office.

There are a few different ways our emergency dentist in Frisco can address a cracked tooth, depending on the severity of the damage. If it’s minor, we may be able to fill the crack and restore and protect the tooth with a customized dental crown. If the damage is severe and has progressed to affect the inner chamber of the tooth, we may recommend extracting it.

Broken Denture

While broken dentures may seem more like an inconvenience than an emergency, we encourage you to call us immediately anyway. A broken denture can make it difficult to eat and speak comfortably, and over time, it can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, jaw issues, and other serious problems. No matter what part of your denture is damaged, give us a call right away.

Don’t wear a broken denture. Keep it in water or a cleaning solution until you can see us. NEVER try to repair it yourself with household items like superglue, as these items aren’t biocompatible and can make you sick if put in your mouth.

How we fix your dentures will depend on the damage. Sometimes, small chips or cracks can be repaired with cosmetic bonding, or we may be able to adjust them back into position. However, your broken denture may need to be replaced entirely, either with a traditional denture or implant denture.

Gums, Lips, or Tongue Injury

It can be easy to injure your gums, lips, or tongue, especially if you play sports. Since these wounds tend to bleed a lot, it’s important to treat them right away. In most cases, this can be done at home.

First, rinse your mouth out with water to clean the injury. Then, press a paper towel, piece of gauze, or a clean washcloth over the wound to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has subsided, you can use a cold compress or OTC pain relievers to manage discomfort and swelling.

If an injury or damage to your teeth has also occurred, make sure to call us to schedule an appointment. Should your injury be the result of a sports accident, then we may recommend a custom-made athletic mouthguard.

However, if the bleeding in your mouth doesn’t stop within 10-15 minutes, you should go directly to your local ER for assistance.

Lost Filling or Crown

The average lifespan of dental restoration is around seven years, so we regularly deal with missing fillings or lost dental crowns in Frisco at our practice. It’s important to address this issue in a timely manner to keep it from progressing into something more serious, like a dental infection. That’s why we recommend calling our office as soon as you notice your restoration is lost.

If you’re able to find your missing filling or crown, you can rinse it off and secure it back onto your tooth using a dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste. If your restoration is lost, you can purchase a filling replacement kit at your local pharmacy and fill the area in until you’re able to see us, preventing any bacteria from entering the tooth.

If your restoration can be repaired, we’ll do that. If it’s too damaged to salvage, we’ll permanently replace the crown or filling.

Loose Tooth

When a tooth has been knocked loose but hasn’t been completely dislodged, it is extruded. Other times, a tooth may gradually become loose due to a serious underlying condition like periodontal disease. If you want to save the tooth from being lost permanently, it needs to be treated as soon as possible.

After calling our emergency dental office and setting up an appointment, take Ibuprofen or another OTC pain reliever if needed. You can also hold a cold compress to the outside of your mouth for 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling. Do not chew or bite down on anything until after you receive emergency dentistry treatment in our dental office.

If your tooth was knocked loose as part of an accident or injury, we will likely try to splint it to another tooth to hold it in place as it heals naturally. However, if your tooth is loose due to the advanced stages of gum disease, we will first treat the infection with periodontal therapy. If the tooth can’t be saved, we may need to extract it and replace it with a dental bridge or implant.

Jaw Pain or Clenching

Jaw pain can be debilitating and may get worse if left untreated. While you will likely not need an emergency appointment, we will want to see you right away to help you overcome your jaw pain. You may suffer from nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) or TMJ disorder, both of which can wreak havoc on your teeth and jaw joints. We have treatments to address these issues before they cause a dental emergency.

Before you’re properly diagnosed with bruxism or TMJ disorder, avoid any habits that could make your symptoms worse. Eat soft foods and avoid extreme or unnecessary jaw movements as much as possible. Take anti-inflammatory pain medication along the lines of Ibuprofen if you think you need it. Try to avoid resting your chin on your hand.

First, we’ll determine what may be causing your pain. If signs indicate bruxism, a custom-made nightguard for bruxism may be the solution. We also offer TMJ therapy services to help you pinpoint and make a treatment plan for this jaw problem.

If your jaw is broken or dislocated, go to your local ER immediately.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

If you have a bit of food or another type of object that is stubbornly lodged between your teeth, tie a knot in some waxed dental floss. Insert the floss between your teeth and move it back and forth, trying to dislodge the food or other object with the knot. It might help to rinse with warm saltwater beforehand to soothe your sore mouth and perhaps loosen the offending item. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, do not resort to using a toothpick, tweezers, knife, or other sharp object to try to poke it out. In doing so, you could inadvertently harm your teeth or gums. Instead, visit us for professional help.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Since no two dental emergencies are exactly the same, it’s virtually impossible to predict the cost of your treatment until we have a chance to examine your mouth. Even if you’re worried about the cost, remember that the longer the problem is left unaddressed, the worse it could become and the more expensive it could be to take care of. When you come in for your appointment, we will thoroughly explain the cost of any proposed treatment and help you explore your payment options. We accept payment from many different insurance companies, and financing is available for most patients.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

The cost of emergency dentistry in Frisco varies from case to case. When you get to our office, we will evaluate your oral health and recommend a treatment. In some cases, a conservative option, like a filling or prescription mouthwash, is enough to resolve the problem. In other cases, more complex — and more costly — procedures are necessary. For example, you might require root canal therapy, a crown, or an extraction followed by later tooth replacement. If more than one treatment might be suitable for you, we will thoroughly explain the pros, cons, and cost of each option.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

In most cases, dental insurance companies offer coverage for dental emergency situations, including a yearly emergency exam. Your treatment might be anywhere from 40% to 80% covered, depending on whether it falls into the category of “minor” treatment or “major treatment.” Our team is happy to accept payment from most major PPO plans. We can also file claims on your behalf and help you get the greatest value possible out of your policy.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

In addition to helping you with insurance, we also offer easy and budget-friendly financing through CareCredit, which will provide you with a customized monthly payment plan that can make the cost of your visit easier to tackle. CareCredit is a third-party lender that specializes in providing financing for medical and dental care. Most patients qualify for it, and the application process is quick and easy. CareCredit plans usually come with little to no interest, so you will not have to worry that taking a little longer to pay for your treatment will dramatically increase its cost. Plus, you can use financing for aspects of your care that insurance might not cover — for example, you can use it to get a veneer to repair a chipped tooth.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Some trips to the emergency dentist in Frisco are the result of an unavoidable accident. In most cases, however, urgent dental problems could have been averted with some preventive diligence. Staying regular with routine cleanings and checkups twice a year is one of the best ways to stop the development of cavities, gum disease, and other problems that can lead to emergencies down the road. Dental insurance often covers preventive appointments at 100%.

Additionally, keep in mind that if you notice any out-of-the-ordinary or painful symptoms, it’s important to take care of it right away. Ignoring the issue will only allow it to worsen, and the worse it becomes, the more it will cost to treat. For example, a small cavity can usually be addressed with a filling, but if the cavity extends into the tooth’s inner chamber, you might end up needing root canal therapy, which costs substantially more.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Not all dental emergencies are avoidable, but there are steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk. While this definitely includes routine checkups with our team, it’s far from the only way to prevent dental emergencies in Frisco. We invite you to take a moment to read through these five simple precautions that will minimize the risk of sudden harm to your smile.

Cavities, gum infections, and many other oral health problems don’t cause pain or discomfort in the early stages. This means that you might have a dental emergency in the near future without even knowing it! Luckily, an easy way to stop these problems in their tracks is to attend at least two checkups and cleanings per year. Not only can we detect and address these issues early on, but our hygienists can remove built-up plaque and tartar that contribute to dental emergencies.

Of course, keeping your pearly whites clean in between appointments is also essential. Make sure to brush your teeth for two full minutes when you first wake up and again right before bed. You should also floss at least once a day to clean the spaces between your teeth. Lastly, rinsing with a therapeutic mouthwash on a regular basis can help disinfect the areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss cannot access.

Your diet also impacts your risk of developing a dental emergency. For instance, overconsumption of sugary and starchy items makes it easier for dangerous oral bacteria to produce acid that damages your gums and tooth enamel. These foods and beverages are fine in moderation, but be sure to also incorporate plenty of mouth-healthy foods into your diet. Fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, celery, and carrots are great because their fibrous skins naturally scrub the teeth clean.

Sports-related injuries to the mouth are a common reason why patients have to visit our emergency dental office in Frisco. Wearing a mouthguard is the best way to shield your smile from damage. Similarly, we can provide nightguards to wear while sleeping to protect against long-term damage from bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). In both cases, we can provide custom mouthguards that deliver a more comfortable fit and more effective protection than the cheaply made guards from the drugstore.

Teeth are quite strong, but they are far from indestructible. In general, you shouldn’t use your teeth for anything other than chewing food. Chewing on hard, inedible items like pen caps, ice, or fingernails can lead to breakage. Using your teeth to open packaging, pop off a bottle cap, or crack nuts can also chip or crack a tooth. Safeguard your smile by taking the time to select the right tool for the job.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s

At Stonebriar Smile Design, you can count on our team of dental professionals to provide you with fast pain relief and first-aid guidance. We want to ease your stress if you ever have a dental dilemma, which is why we’ve compiled some common questions we get from our patients below, so you can feel more prepared for whatever comes your way.

How Do I Treat a Toothache At Home?
A severe toothache can be a sign that you have a serious dental emergency on your hand, which is why the first step you should take is to call our dental office to set up a time when you can come in. Once that’s done, here are some home remedies to help ease your pain until you reach our dental office:

  • Add ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse it around your mouth to reduce inflammation.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Ibuprofen as directed on the packaging.
  • Place a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10-minute intervals.
  • Place a slightly warmed peppermint tea bag on the affected area to numb pain and soothe sensitive gums.

When Should I Visit the ER for a Dental Emergency?

There are some injuries that our dental office isn’t equipped to treat, like ones that require immediate medical attention. In these situations, you’ll need to visit your local emergency room. Once you’ve received the medical help you need, we’ll be more than happy to take care of any of your dental needs. Some examples of when you should visit your ER first include:

  • Broken or fractured jaw
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Bleeding that won’t stop

Are Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Extreme tooth sensitivity can be a sign of several issues, including an infection or receding gums. Both of these are serious concerns that should be dealt with immediately by your emergency dentist in Frisco. If you’re experiencing persistent sensitivity, schedule an appointment. If you believe that your sensitivity could be caused by worn-down enamel, try using sensitive toothpaste. Either way, be sure to contact our dental office for first-aid advice and to determine whether your situation should be handled with urgency.

I’m Scared of the Dentist. Can They Put Me to Sleep During My Emergency Visit?

You’ll want to start by calling our practice to get an appointment scheduled. When you do, a team member can get your visit set up and provide guidance on managing your symptoms. We’ll work hard to get you scheduled to visit the same-day you call. Most hospital ER’s are not equipped to handle dental emergencies, which is why it’s best to call our office directly in most cases instead. However, life-threatening emergencies should trigger a call to 911 immediately. Keep in mind that dental emergencies are typically an indication of a larger problem that needs addressing. Always stay on top of routine checkups so our team has an opportunity to catch problems early.

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