Trauma Case Study

This patient came to us with a serious sports injury.

The dislodged tooth (at left) was immediately placed back in the socket. The two front teeth were repositioned and several of the upper teeth were bonded together to allow them to "set" back in their natural position.

The dislodged tooth was saved, but a root canal procedure was necessary. After 6 weeks the patient was referred to a specialist for a soft-tissue graft to repair the gumline between the front teeth.

Shown here, 16 months after the initial trauma, we have a very happy patient!

What to do in case of an Accident

Tooth Knocked Out

Do not wipe the tooth clean. Place the tooth in a glass of milk, if possible. If milk is not available, use a wet napkin or cup of water. See a dentist immediately. Sometimes, if the tooth is placed back in its socket soon enough by your dentist, the tooth can be saved. Time is critical in this situation! Click here for information on how to Contact Us.

Broken and Chipped Tooth

Remove the fractured piece to prevent choking and don't chew on anything hard. Call your dentist immediately. Click here for information on how to Contact Us. Some teeth can be filled. More severe cases may need to be crowned. If the tooth has broken into the nerve the tooth will need Root Canal Therapy and a crown, or it will need to be extracted.

Loose Tooth

If you were hit by an object, call your dentist immediately. Click here for information on how to Contact Us. Depending on the severity of the blow, your dentist may let the tooth "tighten-up" on its own, or your dentist may bond the tooth to the uninjured teeth next to it for support until it heals. The tooth may turn dark and/or abscess after an accident. That may happen immediately, or it could be years later. If the tooth does eventually abscess, it will require Root Canal Therapy and a crown just like any other abscessed tooth.

Lacerated (Cut) Lip or Tongue

Apply pressure to stop or slow the bleeding. If the wound is severe or doesn't stop bleeding, call your dentist or go to the Emergency Room at the hospital immediately. The wound may require stitches to stop the bleeding, prevent infection and to help it properly heal.