Traumatic Injuries
Treatment for Traumatic Dental Injuries in Illinois and Indiana
Traumatic dental injuries are common occurrences, especially in children and active individuals, and often result from accidents, falls, or sports-related impacts. These injuries can range from minor chips to severe cases where teeth are displaced or completely knocked out. Prompt dental care is essential for preserving the affected teeth and maintaining oral health. Visit Illiana Endodontics to seek treatment for your traumatic dental injuries in Illinois or Indiana.
Below are key types of traumatic dental injuries and the recommended treatments.
Dislodged Teeth
Trauma to the mouth can result in teeth being dislodged, either pushed back into the socket or partially out of it.
If a tooth is driven back into its socket, your endodontist or general dentist will typically reposition and stabilize it. Root canal treatment is usually initiated within a few weeks of the injury. Medication such as calcium hydroxide is placed inside the tooth during treatment.
Eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be used to complete the procedure.
Teeth Partially Displaced from the Socket
In cases where a tooth is partially pushed out of its socket, the dentist will also reposition and stabilize the tooth. If the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth) remains healthy, further treatment may not be necessary. However, root canal therapy will be required to save the tooth if the pulp becomes damaged or infected.
Avulsed Teeth (Completely Knocked-Out Teeth)
Immediate action is critical when a tooth is completely knocked out of the mouth.
If this occurs, it is essential to always keep the tooth moist. Ideally, try to place the tooth back into its socket. If that isn’t possible, store it in milk or in a glass of water with a pinch of salt to preserve it.
The ability to save the tooth depends significantly on how long it remains out of the mouth and how it is stored. Your endodontist will determine the appropriate course of root canal treatment based on the development stage of the tooth’s root and the conditions under which it was kept before reimplantation.
Dental Injuries in Children
Children with immature (developing) teeth require special attention, as their roots may not be fully formed. There are two common procedures used to encourage continued development and healing:
- Apexogenesis
Apexogenesis is performed when the pulp is still healthy or only slightly inflamed. Medication is applied to the soft tissue to promote continued root growth and closure of the root tip (apex). The root canal walls thicken as the child grows, strengthening the tooth. If the pulp heals successfully, no further treatment is required. The more developed the root becomes, the greater the likelihood of preserving the tooth.
- Apexification
Apexification is used when the pulp is unhealthy or necrotic. In this procedure, the pulp is removed, and medication is placed in the root canal to encourage hard tissue formation near the root tip. This barrier is necessary for sealing the canal with a permanent filling. However, since root growth stops at this point, the tooth remains vulnerable to fractures. Therefore, it is crucial for a dentist to restore the tooth properly to ensure long-term function and strength.