There are several types of dental trauma treatment. If you think you have had dental trauma, you should call your dentist right away. You should also have another person you can reach for emergency dental treatment if your dentist isn’t working at the time of your trauma. If you have undergone significant trauma and other parts of your body are badly damaged as well, please get to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible. If you need emergency dental treatment, reach out to Frisco Dental as soon as possible by calling 972.335.2201.
Dental Trauma Treatment
After certain types of trauma, your dentist should conduct the following types of tests to see if you need any further treatment done on your mouth.
Concussion
A tooth concussion occurs after an impact when the tooth is tender. The tooth still sits in its original place on its own. Radiology exams happen for this situation over one year to ensure no severe interior damage has occurred to the tooth and the surrounding tissue.
Subluxation and Extrusion
Subluxation, or extrusion, occurs when the tooth has partially dislocated from its original position. In this case, teeth may be tender to the touch. Your dentist should monitor the tooth using x-rays to ensure that everything heals properly, and there is no other permanent damage caused to the tissues surrounding the teeth.
Intrusion
This condition occurs when the tooth pushes into the jaw bone, which can cause pain and swelling of the gums. Your dentist will identify the cause of the pain and keep track of the healing process, again with x-rays. If the tooth does not reposition itself in a few weeks, you may have to undergo orthodontic moving procedures.
Avulsion
This term refers to when you knock out a tooth. If this happens, you need to pick up the tooth by the tooth or crown part and keep it moist. Then go to a dentist as soon as possible. You may save the tooth, depending on what happened and the damage that has occurred.
Infraction
An infraction is a crack in the tooth. You will need to see a dentist who can address the injury. Doing so will prevent the cracked area from becoming decayed and possibly infected.
Enamel Fracture
This fracture happens when the enamel on the tooth becomes fractured in some way. Any fracture can be due to an impact from the outside or from an impact resulting from chewing things such as popcorn seeds, ice, or other hard items. You can repair fractures by replacing the tooth piece that came out or with composite or bonding materials.
Enamel-Dentin Fracture
This fracture will be larger than the other two above and could result in having a dental emergency. If enough of the tooth is missing that you notice pain and swelling, please see your dentist as soon as you can. This type of damage will be repaired in a similar way to the two fractures listed above.
Crown-Root Fracture
This fracture occurs when a large part of the tooth becomes chipped or lost. The fracture goes up into the gum area. This type of fracture is usually a dental emergency. If you can find the tooth piece that fell off, then do so and keep it moist in case you need it while at the dentist. At the very least, the dentist will be able to bond the tooth back into place.
Find Treatment at Frisco Dental
If you have a broken, loose, or missing tooth due to impact, always pick up the pieces that you can find of the tooth part and keep them moist. Then get to your dentist. You may need to have the rest of the tooth removed, or you can replace or restore your original tooth. If you get to the dentist right away, you will have the most options for fixing the situation.
Frisco, TX residents can rely on Frisco Dental Associates for exceptional dental trauma treatment. To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 972.335.2201 or contact us on our website.