Treating Traumatic Injuries At Elevation Endodontics
When Traumatic Injuries Affects Your Teeth
Even when we take excellent care of our teeth, car accidents or head injuries sometimes cause significant damage. Suppose this happens to you or someone you love. In that case, it is critical to get treatment immediately because it may be possible to save the affected tooth or teeth!
Traumatic injuries can occur for numerous reasons. For endodontists treating trauma to the roots of the teeth, these injuries can pose severe oral health threats that can lead the tooth to exposure to bacteria that causes infection and decay.
Some of the most severe problems with teeth impacted by trauma often occur within the roots. The visible surface of the tooth’s enamel can show cracks and chips. Still, micro fractures within the canal and signs of nerve pinching can lead to even more significant distress, especially if dentists cannot diagnose its cause.
Read below about some of the most common dental traumatic injuries:
Dislodged Teeth
With some injuries, a tooth may be pushed deeper into its socket. Dr. McKissock may be able to reposition and stabilize the tooth back into place. Still, root canal treatment will most likely be necessary to save the tooth.
In cases where a tooth is pushed sideways or partially out of its socket, Dr. McKissock may use a stabilizing splint. If the pulp wasn’t damaged, it might not need further treatment. If there is a root fracture and the pulp is damaged, it will need root canal treatment. Leaving it untreated could lead to complications such as tooth infection, surrounding tissue infection, and eventually, tooth loss. Learn more about it by following this link.
Avulsed Teeth
When permanent teeth have been knocked out of their socket (avulsed), immediate attention is required. Try not to touch the root surface of the tooth. Keep the tooth moist, ideally by putting it back into the socket (if possible) and applying gentle sustained pressure for five minutes. If the tooth remains damp, it can usually be saved.
If it isn’t possible to replant the tooth in the socket, hold it between your teeth and cheek, or store it in milk or a glass of water with a pinch of salt. The amount of time the tooth spends out of your mouth and how it is stored will impact the treatment you receive.
Control bleeding from the tooth socket by applying pressure to the area (use gauze if possible), and get to an emergency treatment center as soon as possible. Baby teeth, however, don’t usually need to be replanted. Click this link to learn more.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
Chipped teeth are the most common dental injury. If teeth have been chipped or fractured or are loose or tender to the touch, make sure to see a dentist within 12 hours. Try to locate any pieces of the tooth that have come off, as it may be possible to reattach them to the crown with tooth-colored bonding material.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Dental injuries often involve damage to the mouth’s gums, tongue, and soft tissues. When these injuries occur, it’s best to wash and rinse the area and remove debris. Control the bleeding by applying direct, gentle pressure to gauze pads placed on the wound. If you cannot control the bleeding after about 10 minutes, go to an emergency room.
Most Dental Traumatic Injuries are Sports-Related
Americans love playing sports. But when it comes to contact sports, it’s essential to prepare for the risk of injury.
Dental traumatic injuries account for a significant portion of all sports injuries. Yet, so many of these injuries are preventable with a high-quality mouthguard. The cost of replacing a completely knocked-out tooth can be upwards of $15,000. In contrast, a good mouthguard is a fraction of the amount and one of the best investments you can make in sports equipment.
A mouthguard from your dentist is custom-made from a model of your teeth, so it’s strong, lightweight, and perfectly fitted. It has been shown to reduce the risk of sports-related dental injury by 60 times.
Let Dr. McKissock Treat Your Traumatic Injuries and Save Your Tooth!
Fast action on your part is one of the crucial components of giving a tooth damaged by injury its best chance, and the experience of Dr. McKissock is the other. If you have questions about what to do in the event of a mouth injury, call Elevation Endodontics at (719) 488-2188.