Understand Dental Trauma In 60 Seconds
You’ve been hit in the face with a baseball. You got into a car accident. You had a fall that lead to injury. Dental trauma can happen to anyone at any time, and it is never something anyone wants to experience. While common in young children and teens who play sports, dental trauma can come from the most unexpected of places and must be treated by a professional, even if the damage seems minor. No one wants to lose a tooth, but damage, decay, and infection can lead to further health complications, and it is sometimes safer to remove an afflicted tooth. When a tooth must be removed, Dr. Pollock‘s experience as an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon offers you the best experience.
5 Types Of Dental Trauma And How They Can Be Fixed
If you think you may be suffering from dental trauma, it is important to know what types there are. While a chipped or broken tooth may seem like the most common issue, dental trauma can actually take many forms. Here is a list of 5 types of dental trauma and how they can be fixed:
Damaged Teeth: Most chips and cracks can be easily restored with dental bonding. For larger damages, a dental crown, or restorative “cap” may be required. However, if the damage extends into the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be required. For seriously damaged teeth, such as those that are split, the best solution may be to extract them and replace them with a restorative option, such as a bridge or dental implant.
Dislodged Teeth: Sometimes, the impact can dislodge a tooth. It may be pushed up into the socket, or it may come out of the socket slightly. Either way, we can reposition the tooth to its original location and stabilize it. In many cases, a root canal treatment will be needed. It is also possible that your tooth may come completely out of the socket. It is still possible to replace the tooth. Be sure to find the tooth and clean it off, preserving it in a sealed jar of milk until you can get to the office. We can reseat the tooth and stabilize it with a splint.
Root Fractures: Injuries to the tooth can include horizontal root fractures. Fractures closer to the tip of the root have a better chance of healing properly. Root fractures close to the crown have less of a chance for long-term success, and we may need to stabilize the tooth with a splint for the best results.
Bone Injuries: Dental injuries may include injuries to the jawbone or other facial bones. Much like any other bone, the jawbone needs to be set. However, your face cannot be placed in a cast. Instead, there are a few ways in which bone injuries can be set. The first is with the wiring. Wire limits the motion of your jaw while the bones heal. The other option is metal plates and screws. While plates and screws allow you a range of motion to eat and speak, there are many instances in which the hardware is left in permanently.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to the teeth can result in soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations. The soft tissues of your face are delicate and contain many nerves. Close to your mouth, the soft tissues also contain salivary glands and ducts. The nerves, glands, and ducts need to be carefully repaired to restore full function.
If a baby tooth is damaged, it can be restored aesthetically. Sometimes a dislodged primary tooth can be repositioned, but this is rarely successful. If a primary tooth is knocked out, it should not be replanted. Usually in this case, doing so causes more damage to the underlying permanent tooth that is growing inside the bone. All cases are different and if dental trauma occurs to any type of tooth, it is best to contact Dr. Pollock at (469) 264-8921 for an evaluation as soon as possible.
