Traumatic Tooth Injuries

Traumatic Tooth Injury Information

The Basics:

Endodontists are specialists in diagnosing and managing all forms of traumatic injuries to teeth. If your tooth is injured (bumped, fractured, moved out of position, or even knocked out), you should have the tooth evaluated by an endodontist as soon as possible. The longer you wait to be evaluated or treated, the higher the risk of complications during healing, and the lower the likelihood of a successful outcome for your tooth.

The Details:

When a tooth is traumatized, the injury can take many forms. Teeth can become fractured (breaking above or below the gumline), they can be displaced (moved out of position), or even avulsed (knocked out) by the injury. Any time a tooth is injured, the nerve/pulp inside of the tooth can be affected. In many cases, the pulp can recover and the tooth can return to normal. Depending on the severity of the injury, however, the pulp can also degenerate rapidly—paving the way for infection, resorption, or both.

The Good News:

Endodontists are experts at managing all types of tooth injury and can diagnose whether or not root canal therapy will be necessary to save your tooth. Please keep in mind that time is of the essence with traumatic injuries. In most cases, the longer you wait to be evaluated or treated, the lower the likelihood of a successful outcome. This is especially true with teeth that have been avulsed (knocked out).

Special Instructions for a Knocked Out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out of its socket, it should immediately be rinsed off and placed it back in the socket in its original orientation. If that is not possible, the tooth should be kept moist in liquid (milk, saliva, water) and the tooth and patient should be taken to an endodontic office immediately. Every minute counts. The longer the tooth remains out of the socket, the more likely it is to have complications during healing. Even if you are able to put the tooth back in on your own, you should still come in to be evaluated as soon as possible. Additional treatment may be necessary to save your tooth.

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Miami's Endodontic Specialists

Miami's Endodontic Specialists

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Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Dental Injuries

My tooth was injured. When should I get checked?

After a dental injury it is recommended that you have your tooth evaluated as soon as possible. For many dental traumatic injuries, time is of the essence, and the sooner the issue is addressed, the more likely your tooth will have a positive outcome.

My tooth was injured and feels like it is out of its normal position. What should I do?

Try to move the tooth back into its normal position. Regardless of whether you can or cannot reposition the tooth, we recommend that you come into our office to be evaluated. There may be a need for additional treatment to help ensure that your tooth has a positive outcome.

My tooth was knocked out. What should I do?

If a tooth is knocked out of its socket, it should immediately be rinsed off and placed it back in the socket in its original orientation. If that is not possible, the tooth should be kept moist in liquid (milk, saliva, water) and the tooth and patient should be taken to an endodontic office immediately.

A piece of my tooth broke off. What should I do?

Treatment recommendations for broken teeth vary depending on the amount of tooth structure lost. The bigger the piece that breaks away, the more likely root canal therapy will be needed. We recommend that if you break your tooth, you visit our office for an evaluation as soon as possible. Bring the fragment with you. In some cases, the portion that broke away can be re-attached.

Can dental trauma be prevented?

Like any accident, dental trauma cannot be prevented in all cases. That being said, its occurrence can be reduced drastically by taking the proper precautions. For example, it is recommended that you wear an athletic guard when participating in competitive sports.

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