Prompt Care for Dental Injuries
Even when we take excellent care of our teeth, sometimes accidents happen and cause significant damage. If this happens to you or someone you love, it is critical to get treatment as quickly as possible, because it may be possible to save the affected tooth or teeth.
Prompt evaluation allows the dental team to determine the extent of the injury and recommend the most appropriate treatment. At CopperMine Dental Studio, we provide evaluation and treatment for traumatic dental injuries for patients in Sahuarita, AZ, and nearby communities. Our goal is to stabilize the tooth, relieve discomfort, and determine the best treatment to restore the health and function of your smile.
When an Injury Affects Your Teeth
Traumatic injuries to the mouth can affect teeth in several ways. Teeth may be cracked, pushed out of position, or completely knocked out of the socket.
Immediate dental care helps assess the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues. In some cases, the tooth can be repositioned or stabilized, allowing it to heal properly. The sooner treatment begins, the greater the likelihood of preserving the natural tooth.
Dislodged Teeth
Some mouth injuries can push teeth deeper into their sockets. Our doctors may be able to move the tooth back into place and stabilize it, but root canal treatment will most likely be necessary to save the tooth.
This will typically take place within a few weeks of the injury. A medication such as calcium hydroxide will be placed in the tooth and eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be implanted.
In cases where a tooth is pushed partially out of its socket, our doctors may stabilize it, and if the pulp wasn’t damaged, it might not need further treatment. If the pulp was damaged, however, it will need root canal treatment. Leaving it untreated could lead to complications such as infection of the tooth and surrounding tissue, inadequate hygiene, and tooth loss.
Avulsed Teeth
When an injury knocks a tooth out completely, come straight to CopperMine Dental Studio or to your general dentist for treatment.
Make sure to keep the tooth moist, ideally by putting it back into the socket (if possible). If the tooth remains moist, it can usually be saved. If it isn’t possible to keep it in the socket, store it in milk. Avoid touching the root at all — even to clean it, because this could damage it.
The length of time the tooth spends out of your mouth and the way you store it will impact the type of treatment you receive.
What to Do Immediately After a Dental Injury
Knowing how to respond after a dental injury can help protect the affected tooth until professional care is available.
Helpful steps include:
- Rinse your mouth gently with clean water
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Locate any broken or knocked-out tooth fragments
- Keep a knocked-out tooth moist if possible
- Seek dental care as soon as possible
Let Us Save Your Tooth
Fast action on your part is one of the crucial components of giving a tooth damaged by injury its best chance, and the experience of our team is the other.
At CopperMine Dental Studio, we help patients from Sahuarita, AZ, and nearby communities receive prompt evaluation and treatment after dental injuries. If you have any questions about what to do in the event of a mouth injury, just give us a call at 520-838-0600 and our team will guide you through the next steps.
FAQs About Traumatic Tooth Injuries
What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
If a tooth is knocked out, try to keep it moist and seek dental care immediately. Placing the tooth back in the socket or storing it in milk may help preserve it until you reach a dental office.Can a dislodged tooth be saved?
In many cases, a tooth that has been pushed out of position can be repositioned and stabilized if treated promptly.How quickly should I see a dentist after a dental injury?
Dental injuries should be evaluated as soon as possible. Immediate care improves the chances of saving the tooth and preventing complications.Is a root canal always needed after a dental injury?
Not always. Root canal treatment may be recommended if the pulp inside the tooth becomes damaged or infected following trauma.Can children and adults both experience traumatic tooth injuries?
Yes. Dental trauma can occur at any age and may result from falls, sports activities, or accidents.