Emergency Dentist – Frisco, TX 

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 that 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

If you experience new, uncomfortable, or worrisome dental symptoms, give us a call. 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 what steps you need to take next. If you have any of the following common dental emergencies, you should give us a call immediately.

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.

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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 that 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 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.

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Visit Our Dental Office Regularly for Checkups

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 your 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.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits

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.

Stick to a Balanced Diet

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.

Wear a Mouthguard

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. 

Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools

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.

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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 and 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 a 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?

At Stonebriar Smile Design, one of our top priorities is our patients’ comfort. That’s why we have been voted “Best of Business” in Frisco Style Magazine for multiple years. It’s also why we go out of our way to help patients with dental fears and phobias feel comfortable and relaxed during their appointment. We offer several sedation options, including oral conscious sedation as well as IV sedation, to help calm your nerves. While you won’t be “put to sleep,” you will feel relaxed and comfortable, and may not even remember your treatment afterwards. This is safer, more reliable, and wears off faster than being put to sleep.