Tramautic Dental Injuries
Proper oral hygiene and continuous preventive dental care are a must for oral health and a beautiful smile. There may come a time when you suffer a traumatic tooth/mouth injury, no matter how well you care for your teeth. Injuries to the mouth or teeth can cause the tooth to shift, break, or fall out entirely. The majority of traumatic injuries to the teeth or mouth occur in children, nevertheless, people of all ages can be affected.
Whether the traumatic tooth injury was caused by a bad fall, a sports accident, an altercation, or a car accident, the treatment is based on the severity of the accident. Our compassionate team of Endodontists can diagnose the type of injury and the necessary treatment.
Different Types of Injuries & Treatments
The kind of treatment will depend on the type, location, and severity of each injury. Chipped teeth do account for the greater number of dental traumas, the rest represent more serious injuries like teeth that have been loosened or completely ‘knocked out'. Regardless of the severity of the injury, this type of injury requires an immediate examination by Brevard Endodontists of Melbourne, Florida. The prognosis, or outcome for the specific injury, depends greatly on how quickly treatment is initiated.
A chipped or fractured tooth can often be repaired, either by reattaching the broken piece or by placing a tooth colored filling in its place. Chips and fractures that are more severe and involve a significant portion of the tooth-crown may require a root canal, especially if the pulp (the soft center of the tooth) has been exposed. Oftentimes, the front teeth are affected more often by chips and breaks, however, the back teeth can sustain chips and breaks as well. If the injured tooth is located towards the back of the mouth, it usually requires a crown to restore the full function of the tooth. In some cases, extraction is necessary, especially when the break is so severe the tooth is split in two or more pieces.
Some injuries may result in a horizontal root fracture. The closer the fracture is to the tip (apex) of the root, the better the chances are at the tooth lasting long-term, If the fracture is closer to the crown portion of the tooth, the long term success rate is lessened. Root fractures may require a splint to be placed for a short period of time. Additionally, a root canal may be needed depending on the damage to the inside of the tooth.
When a tooth is dislodged it can either be pushed into the socket or pushed partially out of the socket. A tooth being pushed into the socket is a more serious injury. In both cases, the tooth will need to be repositioned and stabilized. It is important to have the area monitored periodically once the procedures are completed.
When it comes to having a knocked out tooth, time is of the utmost importance. If you can find your tooth, the best thing to do is rinse off in water and put it back in the socket right away. If you cannot get it back in place for some reason, place it in a cup of milk, the colder the better. If that is not an option, then water with salt in it may be the only option, and again, the colder the better. The most important thing is to not let the tooth dry. When you arrive at our office, we will make sure the tooth is fully seated in the socket and stabilize it by attaching it to your other teeth. The way the tooth is stored prior to reaching our Endodontist office and the length of time the tooth was out of the mouth, along with whether or not it dried out or was kept moist are the major factors that affect whether or not your tooth will survive long-term.
Contact Brevard Endodontics
If you have cracked or chipped your tooth, or had a tooth knocked out or dislodged, call our Endodontics office located in Suntree, Florida immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to saving your tooth after a traumatic injury. Our caring and compassionate staff will work diligently to accommodate you during a dental emergency.
