Dental Trauma to Permanent Teeth

Your permanent teeth are intended to last throughout your lifespan, and they can if you take care of them properly. Unfortunately, certain types of dental trauma can put those teeth at risk of being lost.

Dental trauma occurs when a patient suffers some sort of force to the teeth and facial bones. It may happen from a face-first fall, during participation in an athletic event or for any other number of reasons.

Regardless of the circumstances, dental trauma can cause a range of injuries, including chipped or cracked teeth, teeth that have been loosened or dislodged, and broken facial bones, among others.

Dallas county dentists can offer interventions that address any or all of these problems. Depending on the nature of the injury, you may be able to receive care from a general dentist, while some patients may need to see a specialist, like an endodontist or an oral surgeon.

For more aesthetic concerns, like chips and cracks, cosmetic treatments are often sufficient. Veneers, crowns or other similar restorations may be recommended for patients in these situations.

Teeth that suffer significant structural damage from the trauma are likely to require more invasive treatments, such as root canals or surgery, if broken bones are also a factor.

Despite the best efforts of dentists, it may not be possible to save some teeth in certain situations. These patients can work with their dentists to identify the most suitable tooth replacement option for their cases and pursue those treatments.

Dental trauma can occur for a number of reasons, but it’s important to know how to react if it happens to you. For example, a tooth that has been knocked out can be saved if the patient seeks treatment within a few hours. If this happens to you, store the tooth in a small container filled with a dental solution (like Save-a-Tooth) or milk. Then get to the dentist as quickly as possible.

Do everything you can to avoid dental trauma to begin with, but also be aware of the steps you can take to improve your chances of keeping your biological teeth when an injury occurs.