Traumatic Injuries
Trauma to the mouth can sometimes force a tooth out of its normal position. This may cause the tooth to be pushed deeper into its socket (intrusion) or partially displaced outward (extrusion). Prompt treatment is essential to preserve the tooth and prevent complications.
If a tooth is pushed back into its socket, your endodontist or general dentist will carefully reposition and stabilize it using a splint. In most cases, root canal treatment will be initiated within a few weeks to prevent infection and ensure long-term tooth health. A medicated material, such as calcium hydroxide, is often placed inside the tooth to aid in healing before a permanent root canal filling is completed.
When a tooth is partially pushed out of its socket, your dentist or endodontist will also reposition and stabilize it. If the tooth’s pulp remains healthy, additional treatment may not be necessary. However, if the pulp becomes damaged or shows signs of infection, root canal therapy will be required to restore the tooth and prevent further complications.
Seeking prompt care from an endodontic specialist can significantly improve the chances of saving a dislodged tooth and maintaining your natural smile. If you or a loved one experiences dental trauma, contact our office as soon as possible for expert evaluation and treatment.
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A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. If an injury causes a tooth to be completely dislodged from your mouth, acting quickly can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth.
What to Do If Your Tooth Is Knocked Out:
- Handle the tooth carefully. Pick it up by the crown (the white part) and avoid touching the root.
- Place the tooth back into its socket immediately.
- If re-insertion is not possible, store the tooth in milk and seek dental care. The sooner the tooth is re-implanted, the better the chances of saving it. Ideally the tooth should be re-implanted within 30 minutes to one hour.
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Will the Tooth Need Any Special Care or Additional Treatment?
The long-term health of a tooth after a traumatic injury depends on several factors, including the type and severity of the injury, the time elapsed before treatment, how the tooth was cared for immediately after the injury, and your body’s natural healing response. Proper follow-up care is essential to monitor the tooth’s recovery and address any potential complications.
Ongoing Monitoring & Follow-Up Care
After an injury, it is crucial to have the affected tooth regularly examined by your dentist or endodontist to ensure proper healing and detect any signs of resorption or other complications. Root resorption is a condition where the body mistakenly begins breaking down its own tooth structure as part of a defense response to trauma. If resorption occurs, early detection is key, as some types can be managed with treatment. However, certain forms of resorption may be untreatable, making preventive care and monitoring even more critical.
By following your endodontist’s recommendations and maintaining routine check-ups, you can help protect your injured tooth and support its long-term health. If you have experienced a dental injury, contact our office to schedule an evaluation and ensure your tooth receives the specialized care it needs.
Injuries in Children
Dental injuries in children require specialized care, especially when the affected tooth is still developing. When an immature permanent tooth is injured, prompt endodontic treatment can improve the chances of saving it and promoting healthy root development. Depending on the condition of the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth), one of the following procedures may be recommended:
Apexogenesis
If the pulp is still healthy or can heal, apexogenesis is performed to encourage continued root growth. A medicated dressing is applied to the exposed soft tissue to stimulate healing. Over time, as the child grows, the root tip (apex) will continue to develop and close, while the walls of the root canal thicken, strengthening the tooth’s structure. If the pulp remains healthy, no further treatment may be needed. The more the root matures, the better the chances of saving the natural tooth long-term.
Apexification
If the pulp is damaged or infected, apexification may be necessary. In this procedure, the unhealthy pulp is removed, and medication is placed inside the root to encourage the formation of a hard tissue barrier near the root tip. This barrier provides a foundation for a future root canal filling. To protect and strengthen the tooth, proper restoration by a general dentist is essential.
Early intervention is key to preserving a child’s injured tooth and preventing future complications. If your child experiences dental trauma, our team is here to provide expert care to support healthy tooth development and long-term
Do Traumatic Dental Injuries Differ in Children?
Yes, traumatic dental injuries in children require a different approach than those in adults, particularly because a child’s teeth—both primary (baby) teeth and developing permanent teeth—have unique characteristics that influence treatment decisions.
Primary (Baby) Teeth
- Chipped primary teeth can often be restored for aesthetic purposes.
- Dislodged primary teeth may, in rare cases, be repositioned. However, in most situations, they are left to heal naturally.
- Knocked-out primary teeth should not be replanted. Unlike permanent teeth, reinserting a knocked-out baby tooth can cause damage to the developing permanent tooth underneath, potentially leading to long-term complications. Instead, your dentist will evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to ensure proper oral development.
Developing Permanent Teeth
Children’s permanent teeth that are still growing at the time of an injury require specialized care and careful follow-up. While not all will need root canal treatment, they do need close monitoring. In many cases, the blood supply to the tooth and the presence of stem cells in the developing root can allow for continued growth if managed properly.
Endodontists have the expertise to treat incompletely formed roots in children, using advanced techniques to encourage natural root development whenever possible. Their goal is to preserve the natural tooth and promote healthy oral function. If your child experiences dental trauma, seeking the care of an endodontic specialist ensures the best possible outcome for their long-term dental health.
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Give us a call today at Meares Becker Endodontics Phone Number 757.200.6222. We will help answer all of your dental insurance questions.
