Emergency Dentistry – Plano, TX
Put a Stop to Your Pain
“Dental emergency” can mean many things. It could mean a painful infection that occurred due to a lack of proper oral hygiene. Or it could mean a tooth that has been knocked out of the mouth by an accident. It can even refer to the loss of a filling or crown that leaves the tooth exposed to further damage. Whatever your emergency is, you should call River Bend Dental to set up an appointment right away so that Dr. Bonds can help with emergency dentistry in Plano, TX.
Why Choose River Bend Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Multiple Options for Dental Sedation
- Gentle, Friendly Dentist and Team
How We Treat Dental Emergencies

- Same-Day Appointment: We highly recommend that you keep our number on your phone so you can call our dental office as soon as you realize something is wrong. A team member will give you advice on how you can stay comfortable and protect your smile at home before scheduling a same-day emergency appointment.
- Comprehensive Exam: There are two main goals of the initial emergency examination. The first is to put a stop to any severe, immediate pain. The second is to figure out what the cause of the emergency is by examining the mouth and taking X-rays.
- Review Findings: We will go over the treatments available for your specific dental emergency, and we’ll explain the costs and timeline you can expect to see with the given treatment.
- Get the Care You Need: Root canal therapy, dental crown placement, and/or other procedures are performed to address the root of the emergency and get your oral health back to normal.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Are you not sure whether you have a dental emergency or not? Below are some of the most common dental issues that generally require urgent care. If you still have doubts, call our dental office right away and tell our team about what symptoms you’re experiencing; they can help you figure out whether or not you need immediate care.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Once you’ve arrived at our office and we’ve restored your pain-free smile, you might wonder, “How much will this cost?” It’s very normal for patients to be curious about the price tag associated with their treatment. Fortunately, our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to help make navigating the financial side of your treatment smooth as well. To learn more about factors that impact the cost of emergency dentistry in Plano, read on!
Every Dental Emergency is Different

The complexity of a dental emergency is one of the biggest factors in determining how much it will cost to treat. A small cavity that only needs a filling is less expensive to address than an infection that has already completely killed off the pulp within the tooth. We’ll only recommend the most ideal treatment for your situation, and we’ll be upfront about why you need it and how much you can expect to pay for it.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Do you have dental insurance? Good news: your benefits may cover a portion of the cost of your emergency visit! While some patients will receive 50% to 80% off the cost of essential restorative care, others can expect a complimentary emergency exam. That’s why it’s a good idea to double-check the fine print on your dental plan. Since we are in-network with Cigna and welcome many other dental insurance providers, we can help file the paperwork and maximize your benefits, making the process significantly easier.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Don’t have dental insurance? Fortunately, we have another solution: CareCredit. As a trusted third-party financier, they offer payment plans so patients don’t have to pay for the entire cost of their treatment upfront. There are also low-to-no interest options available for qualified patients!
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Before wrapping up the cost section, it’s important to discuss how taking care of your smile can help save you money. Good oral hygiene best practices like brushing twice a day and avoiding unhealthy dental habits, such as smoking, can go a long way in preventing dental injuries. Biannual checkups and cleanings are a crucial part of this as well. So, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit, don’t wait – schedule yours today!
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are never convenient. On the contrary, they are often stressful and painful. So, naturally, you want to reduce your chances of experiencing one however you can. The good news is that there are several best practices you can implement to help! To learn what they are, read on.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your biannual visits with your dentist are broken up into two sections: the checkup and the cleaning. During the checkup, we examine the condition of your teeth and gums, paying special attention to anything that could result in a dental injury down the line. The cleaning portion is also essential because it allows our Plano dental team to remove stubborn plaque and tartar that could’ve otherwise resulted in tooth decay or gum disease. So, if it’s been more than six months since your last appointment, schedule yours today!
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Naturally, how you take care of your teeth on a daily basis matters as well. Neglecting good oral hygiene best practices can result in large cavities that could leave you vulnerable to chronic tooth pain, painful fractures, and the like. That’s why it’s crucial to brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with mouthwash regularly.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Simply put, what you eat impacts your oral health. If you fill your plate with foods that are loaded with sugar and lacking in nutrients, then you’re at an increased risk for developing cavities. On the contrary, if you fill your plate with healthy carbs, cooked vegetables, fresh fruit, lean proteins, and other vitamin-rich foods, then you will help keep your teeth healthy from the inside out.
Wear a Mouthguard

Sports-related injuries, like knocked-out teeth, are some of the most common dental emergencies. Therefore, you should always wear a mouthguard during practices and games. This will protect your teeth from unforeseen incidents, like a rogue ball flying toward your mouth. Even better, custom-made mouthguards from your dentist will fit your teeth perfectly and can be adjusted as needed for the sport you participate in (like boxing vs. basketball).
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Using your teeth to open something may seem convenient in the moment, but the damage it can cause is quite the opposite. In addition to introducing bacteria to your mouth, the pressure from opening a bag or package can result in a cracked, loose, or fractured tooth. Needless to say, it’s worth locating and using scissors instead.
Dental Emergency FAQs

Are you dealing with a toothache, lost restoration, cracked tooth, or damaged dental work? Each of these conditions constitutes a dental emergency and requires immediate attention.
Dental emergencies can be a stressful time for any patient. Call us today, and everyone here at River Bend Dental of Plano will help make the process much easier!
If you want to learn more before then, here are some of the most common questions that people have about dental emergencies.
Is My Tooth Pain From An Infection?
Toothaches can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Your tooth may hurt due to injury or decay, but some of the most severe kinds of tooth pain come from an infection that has entered the tooth.
If a toothache feels like a persistent throbbing coming from within the tooth, that could be a sign of infection. You should also take note of any of the other common signs of infection, like bad breath, swollen gums, or a sore around the tooth that’s aching.
While these signs are important to notice, the only way to know the cause of your discomfort definitively is to talk to a professional. We’ll also be able to quickly and comfortably treat any infections we find, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re worried!
Should I Visit The Emergency Room First For Dental Emergencies?
Dentists are specialists in all things related to the teeth, and have a set of tools and skills that emergency room doctors do not. If you’re dealing with a cracked tooth or oral abscess, there unfortunately isn’t going to be much that the ER can do for you.
The exceptions to that rule are situations where the injury is severe, making the situation so pressing that you need to be stabilized immediately. A broken jaw or serious cuts to the mouth are good examples, as is swelling that has advanced to such an extent that it becomes difficult to breathe. The ER can also be useful in relieving severe pain until you can make it to your emergency appointment.
Otherwise, your priority should be getting to our office as quickly as possible. We’ll be able to give you the care you need to get your smile back to perfection.
Can I Fix Dentures That Are Broken In Half?
You may have noticed denture repair kits at your local pharmacy, but the fact is that there’s no real way to repair a denture that has been broken in half on your own. If your dentures have snapped, that’s a dental emergency that will require our attention.
If you have a set of spares feel free to wear them until we can see you. Otherwise, don’t try and fix your dentures on your own—it’s likely that’ll just make the actual repairs harder.
How Should I Sleep With Tooth Pain?
If you can’t make it to our office until tomorrow, you should still try and get a good night’s sleep. However, that is much easier said than done when you’re in pain.
If you’re dealing with a toothache, you may notice that it gets worse just before bed. That often has to do with an increase in blood flow to the head when you lay down, so you should try to keep your head elevated as you sleep when you’re dealing with a toothache.
You should also make use of OTC pain medication according to the instructions on the bottle, and take care not to eat anything hot or chewy before bed that could irritate your tooth. Finally, try using a cold compress to bring down any swelling that could be bothering you.
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