How to Deal with Oral Trauma

Oral trauma in Denton is generally managed as a team effort, with general dentists, pediatric dentists, periodontists, or oral surgeons on the front lines of the emergency room, and endodontic experts are joining the fight to save the pulp, pulpal space, and root of the tooth. 

When it comes to severe dental injuries, an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment will enhance the outcome. In many situations of traumatic dental injuries, immediate treatment is critical to the tooth's survival. 

A well-informed and coordinated effort will provide the most effective treatment for the patient.

What Is Dental Trauma? 

Direct damage to the teeth, gums, alveolar bone (the bone that contains the tooth sockets), or soft tissue of the mouth, including the lips and tongue, is referred to as dental trauma. Dental trauma can include several different sorts of injuries, including the following: 

• Teeth that are chipped 
• Root fractures, enamel fractures, and other types of tooth fractures 
• A tooth had been knocked loose (subluxation) or a tooth had become lodged in the socket (intrusion) 
• A tooth has been knocked out (avulsion) 
• The tooth socket wall is fractured 
• Fracture of the jaw 
• Lip laceration 
• Gum laceration 

What Causes Dental Trauma? 

Accidents, such as falls, automobile crashes, and sports are the leading causes of oral trauma. Some occurrences are the result of involvement in violent events such as fights or physical abuse. 

Dental Trauma Treatments 

The severity of the trauma determines the type of treatment. A dentist should evaluate any injuries to the mouth or teeth, especially if a tooth or teeth has gone loose or has been damaged. The adjoining teeth may also be injured when a tooth is damaged, which will not be evident unless a dental checkup is performed. 

• A tooth-colored filling may be advised to replace the missing section of a chipped or cracked tooth. A prosthetic crown or cap may be supplied instead if a large portion of the crown has been lost. 
• A root canal may be required if the pulp is exposed. 
• Back tooth injuries, such as fractured cusps, may necessitate a root canal and a full-coverage crown. 
• More significant damage, such as split teeth, may need the extraction of the tooth entirely. 
• A dentist should stabilize teeth that have been dislodged (luxated), and root canal treatment may be required. 
• Root canal treatment may not be necessary for children under the age of 12 since their teeth are still growing and may heal on their own. The dentist will keep a close eye on them to determine whether any more treatment is required. 
• If you act immediately, you may be able to replant teeth that have been knocked out (avulsed). You should visit your dentist or an endodontist right away; if you get treatment within 30-40 minutes, you have a decent chance of saving the tooth; if you wait any longer, your chances of saving the tooth grow slim. 

If you can find the tooth, carefully handle it by the crown. Don't touch the root. The dentist will re-insert it into its socket and apply a stabilizing splint for a few weeks, after which you may need root canal therapy. 

Other treatment alternatives to replace the tooth may be addressed in some situations, such as if the knocked-out tooth cannot be identified or is not treated quickly enough.

Do You Need an Expert in Oral Trauma in Denton? 

Dentists address a wide range of tooth disorders, and if you've had oral trauma in Denton, your dentist will most likely be your first line of contact. Endodontists are dentists that specialize in treating tooth damage and saving them with sophisticated expertise and treatments. 

Call Texas Oral Surgery Group to learn more!