Tooth Injury: Teeth Chipped, Cracked and Missing
Injury to the mouth, teeth, soft oral tissues or jawbones is tooth or dental trauma. Sports, car crashes, battles, falls, chewing on hard foods / objects and consuming hot liquids can cause tooth trauma. Injuries that damage the mouth and teeth are also very painful, leading to bleeding and punctures.
Types of Tooth Injury
Teeth Cracked - Apart from injury to the tooth, habits such as teeth grinding, clenching and chewing on hard objects can cause cracked teeth. Cracked teeth symptoms include erratic pain from extremes of chewing and temperature. Pulp irritation and damage can result. Extensive cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the teeth surrounding the bone and gum tissue.
Since damage to pulp is common with cracked teeth, root canal therapy is often required. Your dentist will restore your tooth with a crown following root canal treatment to hold the pieces together and protect the cracked tooth. Tooth extraction would be required if the crack extends below the gum line, or if the broken tooth has irreparably deteriorated.
Chipped, Fractured and Missing Teeth - Although minor chips or fractures do not require immediate treatment, they should be handled for esthetic reasons and to prevent sharp edges that can cut sensitive oral tissue (tongue, lips). If a bit of the outer tooth is chipped off, however the pulp is undamaged, the dentist may use tooth-colored composite to simply smooth out the rough edges or cover the missing part.
It may be necessary to tie a broken tooth fragment back in place in some cases. If you lose a larger part of the tooth, but the pulp is not irrevocably damaged, your dentist may use a porcelain veneer or crown to restore and protect the tooth. If the pulp has been seriously damaged, the tooth will require root canal treatment before a crown can be placed. Root canal treatment and protective restoration will be required for a tooth that is vertically fractured or fractured below the gum line. If there is not enough structure left to retain a crown, it can require tooth extraction. Your dentist may then recommend placement of bridges, implants or a removable appliance.
The Broken Jaws - After an accident, if you can’t hold your upper and lower teeth together, your jaw may be broken. Seek urgent treatment from the dentist/hospital emergency department. A broken jaw must be set back into its correct position and secured with wires as it recovers. This procedure is commonly performed by an oral/maxillofacial surgeon.
Teeth Knocked Out - If a tooth is absolutely knocked out, you must seek dental/medical attention immediately. If necessary, it’s best to bring the tooth back in its socket. Hold the crown of the tooth, never the roots. Rinse with saliva or water if dirty. Do not use soap or other cleaning agents; do not scratch your tooth, scrub it or wash it. Place the tooth back into its socket as soon as possible, making sure it's facing the right direction. The less time the tooth is out of its socket, the better the opportunity to save it. To stabilize the tooth and stop bleeding, gently bite on clean gauze, a wet tea bag or a wad of cloth before you enter your dentist/hospital emergency room.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the form, location and extent of the damage to the tooth. A dentist, who would be able to diagnose and efficiently treat unnoticed damage to the tooth and its neighboring teeth, gums and bones, should thoroughly inspect any dental injury, no matter how minor.
In order to minimize swelling and discomfort, mild tooth damage, such as soft tissue injuries, can only require ice or a cold compress. Apply direct pressure with gauze to help control bleeding. It can need stitches for cuts and punctures. Check with your dentist for advice about what may be suitable for your personal medical history or form of injury. Eat soft foods and avoid high-temperature liquids.
You may schedule a daily dental appointment for cases of non-emergency tooth injuries, such as simple tooth fractures. After tooth trauma, other non-emergency reasons to see the dentist include tooth sensitivity to hot/cold fluids, increased discomfort or darkening of the tooth. In cases of tooth discoloration, which may result from bleeding in the pulp chamber, skilled dental bleaching may be recommended.
Costs of Treatment
The cost of care for tooth injuries varies depending on the degree and nature of damage to the tooth; the type, duration and scope of treatment; the appropriate dentist; and the coverage of dental insurance.
Tooth Injury Avoiding
Although tooth injury is not entirely preventable, your chances of injury can be minimized by certain measures. The following tips for prevention include
- Don't chew things like ice, hard candy, bones, or pens on hard objects.
- Wear a retainer or another mouth guard if you clench your teeth while sleeping.
- Always wear a seatbelt; keep children healthy in car seats that are age-appropriate.
- Seek dental professionals' education on prevention strategies and care for tooth injury
At Tooth Affair, we are known for providing best dental health care services to all individuals. Backed by a state of the art infrastructural facility and a dedicated & well-trained staff, our dental care center has carved a niche in the industry by offering excellent Oral and Dental services at all levels. We believe in serving our patients with utmost care and concern. The dental specialists at Tooth Affair use most advanced equipment and technology to give you the award-winning smile and attractive look.
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