Traumatic dental injuries in St Anthony can happen, such as a chipped or knocked-out tooth. Fortunately, Silver Lake Dental Specialists can help save the tooth and restore your smile. Let’s review some of these injuries and how we can help save the tooth.
If you’ve chipped or fractured your tooth, a skilled dentist can likely fix it by reattaching the broken piece or putting a tooth-colored filling in place. If you chipped off a significant portion of your tooth, you may need an artificial dental crown or “cap” to restore it.
If you chipped the tooth to the point where the pulp is exposed or damaged, you likely need root canal therapy. These injuries require special attention.
If it’s painful to breathe through your mouth or drink cold fluids, bite on clean, moist gauze or cloth to help relieve symptoms until you reach your dentist’s office. Never use topical oral pain medication, such as Anbesol® or other pain-relieving ointments, on the affected areas to eliminate pain.
Back teeth injuries, such as fractured cusps or cracked teeth, require root canal treatment and a full-coverage crown if the crack extends into the root. More seriously injured split teeth may require extraction.
Oral trauma may push a tooth sideways or out of or into its socket. Your endodontist or general dentist can reposition and stabilize your tooth. However, you’ll typically require a root canal for dislodged permanent teeth. You should have this procedure started within several days of the injury for the best results.
Your dentist may also put medication inside your tooth as part of the root canal treatment. Once treatment is complete and the dentist deems it successful, they’ll place a permanent root canal filling or dental crown.
Children ages 12 and under may not need root canal treatment since their teeth are still developing. New research indicates that stem cells present in the pulps of children can be stimulated to complete root growth and heal the pulp following injuries or infection.
When a child’s tooth is injured, an endodontist or dentist will monitor the healing carefully and intervene immediately if any unfavorable changes appear. Multiple follow-up appointments are likely to be needed.
If oral trauma results in a completely knocked-out tooth, see an endodontist or dentist immediately. If you receive treatment quickly — preferably within 30 minutes — the tooth has a chance for survival.
Before arriving at the dentist or endodontist, carefully handle a knocked-out tooth and don’t touch the root surface. Following a few important steps will help increase the likelihood of saving your tooth:
Your endodontist or dentist will evaluate the tooth, put it back in its socket, and examine you for any other dental or facial injuries. The dental professional will also place a stabilizing splint on the tooth for a few weeks.
Depending on the stage of root development, your dentist or endodontist may start root canal treatment a week or two later.
You should also discuss other treatment options with your dentist or endodontist if the tooth cannot be saved.
A traumatic injury to your tooth may also result in a horizontal root fracture. The location of the fracture determines the long-term health of your tooth. The closer a fracture is to the root tip, the better the chances of success and long-term health.
Fractures closer to the gum line are more debilitating for your tooth. Sometimes, the tooth requires stabilization with a splint while it heals.
If you or a loved one has had a traumatic dental injury in St Anthony, don’t hesitate to contact Silver Lake Dental Specialists. Our expert endodontists are ready to care for your oral health and restore your smile. Call us now for a same-day appointment.
