Traumatic Dental Injuries
What to do when a dental emergency occurs
Traumatic dental injuries often occur as a result of an accident or sports injury. The majority of these injuries are minor — chipped teeth are the most common — but more serious injuries can also occur. Whatever the case, prompt treatment is essential to saving the tooth and preventing further complications.
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Chipped or Fractured Teeth
If you've chipped or fractured your tooth's crown, it's likely it can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece or by putting a tooth-colored filling in place. If a significant part of your tooth crown is broken off, an artificial crown or 'cap' may be needed.
Dislodged (Luxated) Teeth
During an injury, a tooth may be pushed sideways, out of, or into its socket. Your endodontist or dentist will reposition and possibly stabilize your tooth. If the tooth's pulp is damaged, root canal treatment may be needed. Depending on the stage of root development, treatment may begin a week or two later.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth
Getting treatment as soon as possible is very important with dislodged or knocked-out teeth in particular, in order to prevent root resorption. Resorption occurs when your body, through its own defense mechanisms, begins to reject your own tooth in response to the traumatic injury.
Follow-Up Care
Following an injury, you should return to your dentist or endodontist to have the tooth examined and/or treated on a regular basis for up to five years to ensure that root resorption is not occurring and that surrounding tissues continue to heal. Unfortunately, some types of resorption are untreatable.
All information on this webpage was obtained through the American Association of Endodontics.
Tooth anatomy cross-section
Dental Emergency?
If you've experienced a dental injury, contact our office as soon as possible. Prompt care can save your tooth.
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