When Is Dental Trauma An Emergency?
Dental trauma can be a serious and painful ordeal. A dental injury may occur from something as simple as getting hit in the face while playing a sport, or taking a fall headfirst. In many cases, treatment requires dental trauma emergency medicine and procedures beyond an average filling or crown. If you’ve never experienced a dental injury, it may be difficult to gauge the severity of the damage.
The professionals at Greater Endodontics can provide the emergency dental trauma services you need — anytime you need. Our 24/7 emergency hotline and use of cutting edge technology makes us one of the leading endodontic experts in the industry.
Here are some types of dental trauma that require an emergency trip to an endodontist.
What Is Dental Trauma?
Dental trauma is classified as a severe injury to the mouth. This can include any damage to your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and jawbone. While a small cavity may not be labeled as a dental emergency, a broken or avulsed tooth (in which a tooth has been entirely dislodged from its socket) would be considered severe dental trauma and requires immediate dental trauma emergency medicine and treatment. These types of injuries are rarely life-threatening, but they are undoubtedly painful and can cause dental health issues and cosmetic concerns for the patient.
Types Of Dental Trauma
A dental trauma emergency can come in many forms and may result in severe pain and infections if not treated. Some of the most common types of dental trauma can include:
Concussed Tooth
Your head isn’t the only part of your body that can receive a concussion. A tooth concussion is perhaps the mildest injury your mouth can receive, but it is still considered dental trauma if the concussion is severe. Dental concussions occur when a tooth is hit with significant force, but the tooth remains whole and with enough periodontal ligament support to stay inside its socket. A concussed tooth will not normally require emergency treatment, but it can result in temporary or permanent discoloration. If the tooth turns a dark color or black, this may mean that the tooth is dying and requires immediate endodontic care.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped teeth are another less severe dental injury. Many chips can be repaired with a simple filling and cap. However, if a fracture is extreme it may extend to the roots, exposing the pulp of the tooth. A root canal treatment is usually required to save and restore function to the tooth.
Dislodged Tooth
With this type of trauma, the tooth is not entirely removed from the socket. Instead, it has been dislodged most likely as a result of being pushed sideways out of or into its socket. In order to save the tooth, endodontic treatment is necessary to reposition and stabilize the tooth. If the pulp of the tooth has been damaged a root canal must be started in addition to medication followed by a permanent root canal filling or crown placed at a later date.
Avulsed Tooth
When a tooth is avulsed, it means that it has been knocked entirely out of its socket. Some of the tooth root may remain in the socket if it has been fractured. The tooth may be saved if treatment and dental trauma emergency medicine are received quickly after critical steps are followed. Pick up the tooth by the biting surface, do not touch the roots, and gently rinse. If possible, place the tooth back into the socket or in a glass of milk in order to prevent it from drying out. Depending on the length of time the tooth was out and how it was stored, an endodontist may be able to replace the tooth and stabilize it with a splint. After the splint has been in place for a period of time a root canal will be necessary.
Root Fractures
A horizontal root fracture is less common and the healing success largely depends on where the fracture is located. The closer a fracture is to the tip of the root, the greater the chance of success is. Stabilization and medication may be required to begin the healing process followed by the eventual root canal to repair damaged pulp.
Dental Traumas That Require Immediate Attention
Immediate dental trauma emergency medicine is required in cases of dental injury where the inner soft tissue, or dental pulp, has been damaged. A thorough dental examination from a Utah endodontics specialist will help to ease pain and ensure the patient’s dental health.
Why Choose Greater Endodontics?
Dental traumas can happen anytime, including after normal business hours. Whether you are in severe pain or the pulp of the tooth is damaged, immediate attention from dental professionals is available to you
We Have A Nurse On Staff And Are On Call 24/7 Available To Handle:
- Pain Management
- Antibiotics
- Facial Drainage
- Tooth Triage
- IV Infusions
- UV Hydration
- IM Relief/Recovery
At Greater Endodontics, our team provides the best Utah root canal treatments, dental implant treatments, and diagnoses available for patients suffering from dental trauma. We also work with best-in-class cosmetic and restorative dentists, ensuring that all your dental needs will be superseded. Our combination of advanced technologies, training, diagnoses and specialized techniques allow us to treat our patients with unsurpassed care and comfort, all in a timely manner.
Greater Endodontics Dental Trauma Emergency Medicine
If you are in search of immediate care for dental trauma, contact us today!
