Traumatic Injuries

Understanding Traumatic Dental Injuries

Traumatic dental injuries can occur due to various accidents or incidents, including sports injuries, falls, automobile accidents, or physical altercations. These injuries can affect the teeth, gums, and surrounding oral structures, often leading to issues such as fractured teeth, dislodged teeth, or damage to soft tissues. One common result of such trauma is Cracked Tooth Syndrome. In this condition, a tooth has an incomplete fracture that may be difficult to detect but can cause significant pain and sensitivity.

Dental emergencies can range from minor chips or cracks to more severe issues, such as fractures or completely displaced teeth. Regardless of the severity, prompt dental care is crucial to prevent complications and achieve the best possible outcome. At Apex Endodontics and Implantology Specialist, we recognise how stressful these situations can be. That’s why we provide comprehensive treatment, including advanced procedures such as tooth repositioning, apexogenesis, and other root development therapies to support effective healing and long-term oral health. In cases where a previously treated tooth becomes re-infected or fails to heal properly, Endodontic Retreatment may be necessary to restore function and prevent further complications.

Immediate Steps Following a Dental Injury

If you or someone you know experiences a traumatic dental injury, it's essential to take the following immediate steps:

Stay Calm

Remain calm and assess the extent of the injury. If there is bleeding or pain, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to control it.

Retrieve the Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out (avulsed), handle it carefully by the crown (top part) and avoid touching the roots. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water, but do not scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments.

Reposition Dislodged Teeth

If a tooth is partially dislodged (extruded) but still attached to the socket, attempt to reposition it to its normal alignment using gentle finger pressure. Avoid forcing the tooth into place, as this can cause further damage.

This step may benefit from professional tooth repositioning services to ensure proper placement and stabilization.

Store the Tooth Properly

If a tooth is completely knocked out, it's crucial to keep it moist to improve the chances of successful re-implantation. Place the tooth in a container of milk, saline solution, or saliva (if available). Avoid storing the tooth in water, which can damage the delicate root surface.

Seek Immediate Dental Care

Contact your emergency dentist or visit our office promptly for a thorough evaluation and treatment. Early intervention in cases of traumatic dental injuries significantly improves prognosis.

Specialized Care for Traumatic Dental Injuries

We specialize in restoring smiles affected by dental accidents, using advanced techniques and cutting-edge technology to restore function and aesthetics. Our experienced team recognizes the complexities of dental trauma and is committed to creating personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique situation. We provide state-of-the-art emergency treatment, ensuring prompt and high-quality treatment, whether it’s a minor enamel chip or a completely dislodged tooth, using the latest diagnostic and procedural tools for the best possible outcome.

Dislodged Teeth: Understanding the Impact

One of the most common types of dental trauma is tooth dislodgment caused by accidents or injuries. When teeth are pushed back into their sockets, prompt treatment is essential to minimize damage and increase the chances of saving the tooth. In such cases, our experienced team may reposition and stabilize the tooth. This process aims to restore the tooth to its proper position and stabilize it to promote healing. Our tooth repositioning services utilize gentle yet precise techniques to minimize trauma to the periodontal ligament and surrounding structures.

This phase is crucial in establishing the foundation for long-term tooth health. The earlier the intervention, the better the chance of avoiding root resorption or tooth loss. As part of our care protocol, follow-up imaging and monitoring are scheduled to confirm the progress of healing.

Avulsed Teeth: Saving Smiles in Critical Situations

In more severe cases, teeth may be completely knocked out of their sockets, a condition known as avulsion. This type of traumatic injury requires immediate attention to maximize the chances of saving the tooth and preventing further complications. For children with avulsed teeth, specialized procedures may be necessary to promote healing and encourage the continued development of the tooth's root. Two common procedures used in such cases are apexogenesis and apexification.

Our practice is equipped to handle avulsed teeth with care and precision, offering emergency appointments for immediate reimplantation and root care. With access to advanced imaging tools, we can assess internal tooth trauma and prescribe the most effective solution.

Apexogenesis: Encouraging Root Development

Apexogenesis is a procedure designed to stimulate the continued development of the tooth's root while healing the damaged pulp tissue. During this procedure, medication is applied to the exposed pulp to encourage growth and closure of the root tip (apex). While apexogenesis focuses on preserving the vitality of a developing tooth, an Apicoectomy, a root-end surgical procedure, is typically recommended when inflammation or infection persists after a root canal in a fully developed tooth. Understanding the difference between apexogenesis and an Apicoectomy can help patients make informed decisions about their endodontic care.

Apexogenesis is often the preferred treatment for young patients with incomplete root development and healthy pulp tissue, as it helps preserve tooth vitality and supports natural root growth. When successful, this treatment can prevent the need for additional procedures and help preserve the natural tooth for years to come. Patients at our office benefit from a conservative approach that prioritizes healing and long-term function.

Apexification: Promoting Root Healing and Stability

In cases where the pulp is severely damaged or infected, apexification may be necessary to promote healing and stabilize the tooth. During this procedure, the unhealthy pulp tissue is removed, and medication is placed inside the root to encourage the formation of hard tissue near the root tip.

This hardened tissue acts as a barrier for the root canal filling, providing stability and protection for the tooth. However, teeth undergoing apexification are more susceptible to fractures, highlighting the importance of proper restoration by a dentist to ensure long-term viability.

When root development procedures such as apexification are performed, we aim to strengthen the tooth’s structural integrity. After healing, we often recommend custom crowns or restorations to provide long-term protection and stability. To learn more about your child’s options, contact us today. We’re here to help ensure every smile stays strong and healthy.

What do our patients say?

Discover what our patients are saying about their exceptional dental care experiences!

Hands down, one of the BEST dentist. If not, THEN THE BEST. I am usually SCARED of dental procedures. I came in for a root canal and they made me feel SO comfortable, gave me knowledge on how the procedure will go, and were one of the nicest staffs I met in ANY BUSINESS. They are so good at what they do to the point I didn't feel any pain at all from start to finish. THANK YOU APEX, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING.

Arsh Bhullar

Everyone is so so nice and professional! Dr. Prakash explains everything very well. Her and the dental assistance, Stacy, both kept checking on me throughout my procedure. My appointment was about 1.5 hours for a consultation, x-rays, and a root canal. Would definitely recommend!

Betsy G

Can't recommend enough! Went in for tooth pain/sensitivity where my crown is. Evaluation determined I needed a root canal. So if course I was extremely nervous. But Dr. Prakash and Stacy were fantastic. Gave me plenty of numbing and lots of positive encouragement. Everything was done before I knew it. If you're looking for a great place to go - this is it!

Chrystie Caserza

I 100% love this dental office! I had a great experience. Just the one visit so far but actually hope I have to go back! The entire staff was incredibly kind and outgoing and talkative, which I absolutely relate to! Dr. Prakash was so professional and fun at the same time. 10 stars!!! Whoooo

Erika Montanez

Everyone is so nice here! It’s amazing that getting two root canals at one sitting could be so pleasant! This is my second time using Dr Prakash and if I ever need any more root canals this is where I’d go. her assistant is so nice too! I felt relaxed and the procedure of getting a root canal with smooth sailing.

Denise Valderrama

Dr Prakash and everyone at Apex is great! I took my mom in for a root canal and we were in and out in about 90 minutes. Who isn’t nervous at the dentist office? But Dr Prakash’s calm approach and friendly bedside manner put us at ease right away. I highly recommend her if you are looking for someone qualified, and who can get the job done. 5 stars for sure!

Pallavi Iyer