Dental trauma refers to accidents, falls, sports injuries, etc., that cause damage to the teeth, jaws, or gums through impact on the mouth. They can range from minor chips to severe fractures or tooth loss, requiring immediate and specialized attention to prevent long-term harm.

TYPES OF DENTAL TRAUMA

  • Minor Chips: This is where there are little pieces of enamel that often require cosmetic bonding.
  • Moderate Fractures: This might be deemed crowns/ root canal treatment required tooth affecting enamel, dentin, and possibly pulp.
  • Severe Fractures: It covers complex treatments like extractions as far as the root goes.
  • Concussion: The tooth is tender but not moved out of place.
  • Subluxation: The affected tooth becomes loose but does not move out of its socket.
  • Lateral Luxation: Requiring repositioning and stabilization since they get displaced on the side.
  • Extrusive Luxation: A tooth gets partially dislodged from its socket.
  • Intrusive Luxation: The tooth is pushed into the jawbone.
  • Complete displacement of a tooth from its socket. Immediate action is crucial to save the tooth.
  • Often necessitating splinting or extraction are fractures occurring at any level in the root of a tooth.
  • These usually include cuts, bruises, or lacerations on lips, cheeks, and gums that may have to be sutured and closely observed for further treatment.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR DENTAL TRAUMA

Bonding

Repair minor chips and cracks with composite bonding material, hence restoring bite function as well as appearance.

Root Canal Therapy

Pulp damaged or infected requires root canal treatment to save the tooth; otherwise, extraction could be an option too.

Reimplantation

Knocker- out teeth can often be successfully re-implanted if treated quickly or within an hour of the injury happening.

Crowns

Covering larger fractures and protecting affected teeth may require the use of crowns.

Splinting

It must have a dental splint to stabilize loose or displaced teeth so that they will become firm again.

Surgery

Severe fractures or jaw injuries need surgery from professionals who call for a specialist.

PREVENTION OF DENTAL TRAUMA

Mouthguards

They are mouthguard used to protect the teeth during playing and other sports.

Safe Environment

Create safe homes for children to avoid falls and accidents. One needs to make the house a safe place for kids by preventing cases such as falling.

Avoid Hard Food

Chewing ice, pens, and hard objects can cause chips or fractures.

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