June 22, 2022
Chipped teeth account for the majority of all dental injuries. Dislodged and knocked-out teeth are examples of less frequent, but more severe, injuries. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Any dental injury, even if apparently mild, requires immediate examination by a dentist or an endodontist. Sometimes, neighboring teeth suffer additional, unnoticed injuries that may not be apparent until weeks, months or even years after the initial dental injury.
Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Most chipped or fractured tooth crowns can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece or by placing a tooth-colored filling. If a significant portion of the tooth crown is broken off, an artificial crown or “cap” may be needed to restore the tooth.
Chipped teeth account for the majority of all dental injuries. Dislodged and knocked-out teeth are examples of less frequent, but more severe, injuries. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Any dental injury, even if apparently mild, requires immediate examination by a dentist or an endodontist. Sometimes, neighboring teeth suffer additional, unnoticed injuries that may not be apparent until weeks, months or even years after the initial dental injury.
Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Most chipped or fractured tooth crowns can be repaired either by reattaching the broken piece or by placing a tooth-colored filling. If a significant portion of the tooth crown is broken off, an artificial crown or “cap” may be needed to restore the tooth.
During an injury, a tooth may be pushed sideways, out of or into its socket. Your endodontist or general dentist will reposition and stabilize your tooth. Root canal treatment is usually needed for permanent teeth that have been dislodged and should be started a few days following the injury. Medication may be put inside the tooth as part of the root canal treatment. A permanent root canal filling will be placed at a later date.
Children under the age of 15 may not need root canal treatment for traumatized teeth since their teeth are still developing. For those patients, an endodontist or dentist will monitor the healing carefully and intervene immediately if any unfavorable changes appear. Therefore, multiple follow up appointments are likely to be needed. A viable treatment alternative for immature teeth is a process called regenerative endodontics. This treatment uses stems cells from young pulp to promote healing, repair and continued root development. Ask your endodontist if your child’s tooth is a good candidate for this procedure.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth
If a tooth is completely knocked out of your mouth, time is of the essence. The tooth should be handled very gently, avoiding touching the root surface itself. If it is dirty, quickly and gently rinse it in water. Do not use soap or any other cleaning agent, and never scrape or brush the tooth. If possible, the tooth should be placed back into the socket in the mouth as soon as possible. The less time the tooth is out of its socket, the better the chance for saving it. Call a dentist immediately!
Children under the age of 15 may not need root canal treatment for traumatized teeth since their teeth are still developing. For those patients, an endodontist or dentist will monitor the healing carefully and intervene immediately if any unfavorable changes appear. Therefore, multiple follow up appointments are likely to be needed. A viable treatment alternative for immature teeth is a process called regenerative endodontics. This treatment uses stems cells from young pulp to promote healing, repair and continued root development. Ask your endodontist if your child’s tooth is a good candidate for this procedure.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth
If a tooth is completely knocked out of your mouth, time is of the essence. The tooth should be handled very gently, avoiding touching the root surface itself. If it is dirty, quickly and gently rinse it in water. Do not use soap or any other cleaning agent, and never scrape or brush the tooth. If possible, the tooth should be placed back into the socket in the mouth as soon as possible. The less time the tooth is out of its socket, the better the chance for saving it. Call a dentist immediately!
The length of time the tooth was out of the mouth and the way the tooth was stored before reaching the dentist influence the likelihood of saving the tooth. Again, immediate treatment is essential. Taking all these factors into account, your dentist or endodontist may discuss other treatment options with you.
Root Fractures
A traumatic injury to the tooth may result in a horizontal root fracture. After the diagnosis has been made, the tooth may need to be repositioned if it is out of place. This will likely be followed by placing a splint for a few weeks. Properly treated, teeth with horizontal root fractures usually have a good prognosis.
