Emergency Care from Our Murphy Dentists
Dr. Jenny Tai is a periodontist and cosmetic and restorative specialist. She completed a four-year dual-specialty program at the University of Pennsylvania and has been named a D Magazine Best Dentist seven years in a row, from 2020 through 2026. Dr. Tai focuses on implant dentistry and surgery.
Dr. Erica Chan is a general and cosmetic dentist who provides emergency diagnosis and restorative care, including treatment for pain, infection, broken teeth, and damaged crowns or fillings.
Dr. Avital B. Schaffer provides comprehensive and restorative dentistry. She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency with advanced training in restorative care, implant dentistry, oral surgery, and root canal therapy.
Dr. Rachel Nguyen is an associate dentist who sees patients on Mondays and Wednesdays. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Baylor University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston. She provides comprehensive, patient-focused care for urgent and restorative dental needs.
Same-Day Emergency Dentistry in Murphy, TX
Severe pain, infection, swelling, or trauma should be evaluated immediately. We provide same-day care—walk-ins welcome. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, a dentist is available today to provide immediate relief.
Call our office and answer brief triage questions about your symptoms. Come in for examination and digital X-rays, often completed within minutes. We provide pain management immediately and rapid diagnosis, allowing same-day treatment when possible.
Seek same-day care for severe tooth pain, facial or gum swelling, signs of infection like fever or pus, knocked-out or broken teeth, or bleeding that won’t stop after 10 minutes. These urgent dental problems require prompt attention to prevent complications.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency involves severe pain, infection, trauma, swelling, or uncontrolled bleeding that requires immediate attention to save teeth or prevent serious complications. Time-sensitive situations like knocked-out teeth or spreading infections need evaluation within hours.
Sudden, sharp, or constant pain—especially when chewing or biting—signals possible nerve involvement or infection. Throbbing pain that wakes you at night or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication requires emergency evaluation.
Fractures expose inner tooth layers to bacteria and cause pain. Sharp edges can cut your tongue or cheek. Deeper fractures may require crowns or root canals to save the tooth. Trauma repairs are most successful when treated promptly.
Time is critical—ideally under one hour for best chance of saving the tooth. Preserve the tooth in milk or saline, never water. Handle by the crown only, never touch the root. Bring the tooth with you immediately.
Infections can spread rapidly to surrounding tissues. Danger signs include fever, swelling near the eye, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling spreading down your neck. These require immediate evaluation and treatment to prevent serious complications.
Injuries from sports, accidents, or falls that cause persistent bleeding or severe soft tissue damage need emergency care. Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure requires professional evaluation.
What To Do Before You Arrive
Following proper first aid steps at home protects your tooth and reduces pain until you can reach our office. These temporary measures help stabilize the situation but don’t replace professional emergency care.
Take ibuprofen as directed on the package for pain and inflammation. Avoid aspirin if there’s bleeding—it thins blood and makes bleeding worse. Apply cold compress to the outside of your cheek in 20-minute intervals. Never apply heat, which can spread infection.
Save any tooth fragments if possible and bring them with you. Avoid chewing on the affected side. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If there’s bleeding, apply gauze with gentle pressure.
Do not scrub or clean the root—this damages cells needed for reattachment. Handle the tooth by the crown (white part) only. Store in milk, saline solution, or your own saliva. Never use tap water, which can damage root cells. Time matters—every minute counts.
Apply cold compress to the outside of your face in 20-minute intervals. Stay upright rather than lying flat—this reduces pressure. Never attempt to drain an abscess yourself—this can spread infection. Call us immediately for swelling near your eye or that affects breathing or swallowing.
Fast Relief & Same-Day Diagnosis
We provide immediate pain relief, rapid imaging, and quick diagnosis to develop your treatment plan. Many emergency procedures can be performed on-site the same day, eliminating the need for follow-up appointments to address urgent problems.
Digital X-rays including bitewings, periapicals, and panoramic images help us quickly identify the problem. Imaging reveals hidden abscesses, fractures, infections, and bone damage that aren’t visible during examination alone. This guides immediate treatment decisions.
Local anesthetic numbs the affected area for immediate pain relief. Temporary fillings protect exposed tooth structure. We provide medication protocols for infection and pain management. When indicated, we can drain abscesses to relieve pressure and reduce infection.
Digital X-Rays & Imaging for Emergency Diagnosis
Digital imaging allows rapid identification of abscesses, tooth fractures extending below the gumline, root infections, bone damage from trauma, and impacted teeth causing pressure and pain. Images are available instantly for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Bitewing X-rays show decay between teeth and bone levels. Periapical X-rays capture the entire tooth including roots and surrounding bone. Panoramic or OPG X-rays provide a complete view of all teeth, jaws, and sinuses. CBCT 3D imaging is available for complex cases requiring detailed anatomical information.
Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional film while providing instant, high-resolution images. This allows rapid diagnosis without compromising safety, helping us address your emergency efficiently.
Sedation Options for Emergency Dental Care
Sedation reduces anxiety and discomfort during emergency procedures. We offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help anxious patients receive necessary care comfortably, even during urgent extractions or infection treatment.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provides quick anxiety relief while keeping you conscious and responsive. It adjusts rapidly—we can increase or decrease the level as needed. You recover within minutes after treatment and can usually drive yourself home.
Oral sedation uses medication taken before your emergency appointment for deeper relaxation during longer or more complex procedures. You’ll need an escort to drive you home. This option helps patients with severe dental anxiety receive urgent care like extractions or extensive infection treatment comfortably.
Emergency vs. Urgent vs. Routine Dental Care
Understanding the difference helps you determine when to seek immediate care versus scheduling a regular appointment. Not all dental problems require emergency treatment, but knowing the distinction prevents delays when time truly matters.
True emergencies include severe, unrelenting pain; facial swelling or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing; infection with fever; uncontrolled bleeding; knocked-out teeth; and trauma causing significant damage. These require same-day evaluation to prevent tooth loss or serious complications.
Urgent issues need attention within a day or two but aren’t life-threatening. Examples include lost fillings causing sensitivity, chipped teeth without pain or sharp edges, broken crowns on teeth that aren’t hurting, and mild sensitivity without swelling or fever.
Routine situations can wait for a regular appointment. These include mild gum discomfort without swelling, preventive checkups and cleanings, minor cosmetic concerns, and slight sensitivity that isn’t worsening. Schedule these during normal business hours.
Common Symptoms That Require Emergency Care
Recognizing emergency symptoms helps you seek care promptly and prevent complications from worsening.
Sharp tooth pain when biting or chewing, constant throbbing pain that doesn’t respond to medication, pressure sensitivity that’s worsening, or pain radiating to your jaw or ear all indicate possible infection or nerve damage requiring immediate attention.
Swelling indicates infection spreading into surrounding tissues. Signs of serious infection include swelling that’s rapidly increasing, fever accompanying dental swelling, swelling near the eye or under the jaw, pus drainage, or difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Sports injuries, accidents, and falls can fracture teeth, lacerate soft tissues, or displace teeth from their sockets. Prompt treatment increases the chance of saving damaged teeth and prevents infection from developing in wounds.
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What Does Emergency Dental Care Cost?
The cost depends on the cause of the problem and the treatment needed. After your exam and any necessary imaging, we will explain the diagnosis, review the estimated cost and your options, and help you decide before treatment begins whenever possible.
If you have dental insurance: We are in-network with many PPO plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Ameritas, MetLife, and Sun Life. Call us and we will provide a complimentary benefits check.
If you do not have dental insurance: Your emergency exam and X-rays are $99. If you choose to enroll, the $99 can be applied toward your membership.
Our membership plan is $398 per year for the first family member and $378 for each additional family member. It includes two emergency exams as needed, necessary X-rays, and 20% off all dental treatments. The membership plan cannot be combined with dental insurance.
We also offer financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit.
Do not delay care because of cost concerns. Tooth infections and injuries can become more serious—and more expensive to treat—when they are left untreated.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain, swelling, infection, or dental trauma, Murphy Dental & Implant Center offers same-day emergency appointments for patients in Murphy, Wylie, Sachse, Plano, Richardson, and surrounding communities. Contact us now for fast relief and immediate care.
