Accidents happen in life, and unfortunately, our teeth are sometimes the victims of these unexpected events. Whether it’s a sports injury, a fall, or an accident, traumatic dental injuries are more common than many people realize. These injuries can range from minor chips to more serious damage affecting the tooth’s inner structure. Fortunately, endodontists are specially trained to address these issues and help save teeth.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common traumatic dental injuries and how an endodontist can provide expert care to restore your smile and preserve your oral health.
The Most Common Traumatic Dental Injuries
There are a few very common traumatic dental injuries your endodontist may encounter. These injuries include:
1. Chipped or Broken Teeth
If you are in an accident, experience a fall, eat hard foods, or use your teeth as tools, you may unintentionally chip or break your tooth. While a chipped tooth doesn’t constitute an immediate dental emergency, it is something to keep a close eye on to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
2. Fractured Roots
If you are dealing with bruxism, chew on hard food, or have a fall, you may fracture the root of your tooth. It can be difficult to save a tooth with a fractured root, and it is best to schedule an appointment with a trusted dental team as soon as possible to begin your treatment journey.
3. Dislodged Teeth
Tooth luxation, or dislodged teeth, occurs after traumatic injuries like falls. This injury disrupts your tooth’s tissues, ligaments, and bone. When dislodged, your tooth may be loose, angled, or moved out of the socket. Not all luxated teeth show signs of injury, but they often feel sensitive.
4. Avulsed Teeth
Avulsed teeth are teeth that are knocked out of their sockets. This is the most traumatic injury you can experience. If your tooth is knocked out, it is crucial that you reach out to your endodontist for an emergency appointment to protect yourself from complete tooth loss.
Signs You Need to See an Endodontist
While you might be experiencing traumatic dental injuries, you might be weary of seeking endodontic treatment. However, there are a few signs that you should reach out to your trusted endodontist for support. Some of the most common signs you need endodontic treatment include:
- Temperature Sensitivity: If you are experiencing pain or discomfort when eating and drinking hot or cold foods and drinks, this might be a sign of a problem with your dental pulp, and you must reach out to an endodontist as soon as possible.
- Severe Pain: While you may be able to move past minute dental pain, more severe pain makes it difficult to perform everyday responsibilities. If you’re experiencing pain that doesn’t go away, even with the use of over-the-counter pain medication, you should schedule an appointment with your endodontist.
- Darkening Tooth: Your tooth shouldn’t dramatically change colors. When you notice your teeth darkening quickly, this is a sign that you’ve caused damage to your dental pulp or that the pulp is dying and the tooth needs to be addressed immediately.
- Inflammation: Swelling around your tooth or in your gums is a sign that you may be experiencing an infection from your traumatic dental injuries. You must schedule with your endodontist to protect the tooth, soft tissue, and surrounding structure.
How Do Endodontists Treat Traumatic Dental Injuries?
The treatment your endodontist will choose for your traumatic dental injuries will vary based on the injury. One of the most common endodontic treatments is a root canal. This treatment will remove infected or impacted dental pulp, clean the canals in your tooth, and seal it to prevent any additional tooth damage.
If your tooth isn’t responding well to your root canal, you may need to seek an apicoectomy. During this treatment, your endodontist will make an incision near the infected tooth to remove any infected tissue and clean the tooth to prevent reinfection. While recovery may be long, this is a great way to address traumatic dental injuries.
Ultimately, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with your endodontist as soon as possible to address any traumatic dental injuries you may encounter. They can help you craft a personalized treatment plan and ensure the long-term well-being of any affected teeth.
Caring for Traumatic Injuries Before Your Appointment
When you experience traumatic dental injuries, you might not be able to get into the office right away. While waiting for your appointment, it is essential that you treat your tooth with care. Some things you should do while waiting for your appointment include:
- Apply a cold compress if the area is inflamed
- Rinse with warm salt water throughout the day
- Take over-the-counter pain medications
- Save portions of your chipped tooth
- Store avulsed teeth in milk or a container of your saliva
Helping You Recover from Traumatic Dental Injuries in Northern Utah
If you’re dealing with a traumatic dental injury in the Northern Utah area, turn to our team at David G. Johnson, DDS., for support. With decades of experience helping dental patients recover from unexpected injuries, you can trust that we’ll do the same for you. No matter what injury you’re dealing with, we are committed to providing compassionate, reliable endodontic care.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team or have any questions about the services we provide, reach out to us in Layton or Centerville today for support.