Dealing with Dental Trauma
Statistics show that one-third of all 5-year-olds have sustained injury to their primary teeth, and one-quarter of all 12-year-olds have sustained injury to their permanent teeth. Dental trauma can happen through sporting events, a fall, a car accident or other impacts.
Dentists and physicians classify dental injuries into four main categories:
1) fractures - either a part of the tooth comes off or a root is fractured
2) lateral or extrusive luxation - loosening or displacement of the tooth from its normal position
3) intrusion - displacement of the tooth into the alveolar bone
4) avulsion - complete loss of tooth from its socket
If any of these things happen, get to a dentist as soon as possible. Don't wait! The longer you wait to seek appropriate dental treatment, the greater the possibility that the tooth, gum tissue or alveolar bone will suffer permanent damage. If there is a chance of salvaging the tooth treatment needs to begin right away. Many dentists reserve spots in their schedule for walk-ins and emergencies.
Examination of Dental Trauma
On visiting a dentist, examination will surround:
- determining the extent of damage to the tooth, gum, and alveolar bone
- determining the extent of tooth mobility/loosening/displacement and alteration of bite (occlusion)
Expect at least one radiograph to be taken, likely a panorex (wide/all the way around the mouth). This radiograph will allow the dentist to see all mouth structures from one TMJ to the other. X-rays of individual teeth may also be warranted, such as bite-wings or periapical films, to evaluate the tissues and structures immediately affected by the traumatized tooth.
Treatment for Dental Trauma
Fracture
X-rays will be taken to determine the extent of the damage to the tooth, particularly if the fracture is suspected to be or is confirmed to run below the gum line. If part of the tooth is broken off, the tooth fragment(s) should be kept hydrated in milk, as there is the possibility that the fragment can be reattached. If there is damage to the pulp chamber, a root canal may be necessary.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment4 Comments
There's a better way to store knocked out teeth than milk until they can be reimplanted. It's called Save-A-Tooth. It has a special cell nourishing fluid called Hank's Balanced Salt Solution in a container with a special suspension net and removable basket. Its approved by the American Dental Association and keeps knocked out teeth ten times longer than milk.
October 2, 2009 - 7:06pmThis Comment
Very cool! Thanks for the tip. That's great if you can't get to a dentist right away. Of course many people won't have that in their cupboards, so milk will still work until you can get to a drug store.
October 3, 2009 - 4:14amYes, you're right about milk being OK but Save-A-Tooth is not available in most pharmacy's. People can get it online at Save-A-Tooth.com. Its one of those items that needs to be purchased ahead of time like ipecac for poisoning. It inexpensive so its not a big deal and lasts for two years.
October 3, 2009 - 12:18pmThank you for clarifying.
October 3, 2009 - 12:47pm