If you have a dental injury, make an appointment with an emergency endodontist immediately. In most cases, swift action can save your teeth and prevent a lot of dental health issues in the future. In this article we will answer the question: “What is dental trauma?”to help you make an informed decision about the best course of action in your situation.
What Is Dental Trauma?
Dental trauma is any type of injury that occurs in the mouth, for example, injuries to teeth and soft tissue in the mouth, lips, and jaw. Dental traumas can range from minor to dental emergencies that require immediate medical attention.
Types of Dental Trauma
- Broken, cracked, or chipped teeth
- Dislodged teeth
- Teeth that are completely knocked out of the sockets
- Teeth that are jammed into their sockets
- Cuts in the soft tissues of your mouth and lips
- Broken or dislocated jaw
Symptoms of Dental Trauma
The severity of symptoms depends on the type of dental trauma that occurred. You might experience the following:
- Toothache from slight to severe
- Pain in the mouth and gums
- Swelling in the mouth and gums
- Tooth discoloration
- Bleeding
- Loose or wobbly teeth
- The change in how your teeth fit together
- Pain when moving your jaw or difficulty opening your mouth
Causes and Risk Factors of Dental Trauma
The most common causes of dental trauma include:
- Falls and vehicle accidents
- Strong impact on the face
- Contact or other sports-related face injuries
Having an overjut (sticking out teeth), decayed teeth, and lip and tongue piercings can increase the risk of dental trauma.
Dental Trauma First Aid
These are steps you can take right away after the trauma occurs:
- Make an appointment with an emergency endodontist immediately.
- Preserve a broken piece of your tooth and bring it to the appointment, as it might be possible to reattach it.
- Rinse your mouth with room-temperature salt water to kill the bacteria
- If the tooth is knocked out of its socket, make sure that it is clean by rinsing it with milk or water and try putting it back in the socket to preserve it until you can see your dentist. Do not dry the tooth with cloth or napkins. If this is impossible, store it in milk or water. It is extremely important to see your dentist within the first 30 to 60 minutes after the injury for your tooth to survive. Then, your dentist will most likely be able to put it back in the socket.
- You can take over-the-counter painkillers (for example, Ibuprofen) if you feel acute pain.
- Be careful not to damage the soft tissues in your mouth with sharp, broken tooth edges. You can try covering the tooth with sugarless gum.
- Do not chew on the side of a damaged tooth. If you must eat, opt for soft or liquid foods.
- Do not try to put the dislocated jaw back in its place by yourself to prevent further damage.
Treatment Options for Dental Trauma
The type of injury will determine the treatment employed. Below are the most common treatments for dental trauma.
Tooth Extraction and Replacement
Tooth extraction is a measure that might be needed in severe cases, when the damaged tooth can not be repaired or it is broken at the gum line and its roots sustained a lot of damage. Replacing a lost tooth is important to prevent the subsequent loss of the underlying bone structure and to eliminate functional issues when chewing and speaking. Dental bridges and implants can be used to replace a lost tooth.
Dental Fillings and Bonding
Dental fillings or bonding can be used to treat minor tooth damage like chips and cracks. A small piece of chipped enamel can be remedied with a dental filling. Dental bonding is a good option for damaged front teeth, as the bonding material can be closely matched in color to your natural teeth.
Dental Crowns and Root Canal Therapy
Dental Crowns are typically used in cases when a bigger piece of a tooth breaks off. A dental crown covers a tooth completely, supporting its structure, restoring its function and appearance, and preventing it from further damage.
Root canal therapy might be needed if the root of the tooth is exposed or damaged. The damaged pulp will be removed, and the root canal will be cleaned. This is needed to avoid any infection and inflammation under the crown. Also, in some cases, a metal post is placed in the canal to provide additional support for the crown.
Restabilization and Replantation
If your tooth is dislodged or knocked out completely, it might be possible to put it back into its socket so it can heal and regain its function. A splint might be used to keep your tooth in place until it is completely healed.
Treatments for a Dislodged or Broken Jaw
For treating moderate to severe jaw fractures, surgery might be needed. Also, your dentist may wire the damaged jaw to the teeth on the opposite side for 6 to 8 weeks to keep it in place while it is healing. In some cases, a dislodged jaw might be physically put in place.
Make an Appointment Today
Regardless of what caused the dental trauma and how severe the case is, the best course of action is to make an appointment with your dentist immediately. At Maz Endodontics, we offer emergency dental services and will make sure to restore and preserve your dental health. Do not hesitate to contact our office. We look forward to helping you.