WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS OFFERED BY AN ENDODONTIST IN THE EVENT OF TRAUMATIC TOOTH INJURIES?
Most traumatic tooth injuries occur in children and teenagers, but people of all ages can experience traumatic injuries to their teeth due to falls, sports mishaps or auto accidents. No matter the cause, the type and severity of the injury will determine the treatment necessary. At Upper East Side Endodontists in NYC, our skilled team of endodontists is here to provide quality care to help save and restore the health of your teeth and smile.
Following are common types of traumatic tooth injuries and the treatment options:
Avulsed or knocked-out permanent tooth
If an injury causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of the mouth, it’s critical to receive immediate treatment, within one to two hours if at all possible. With proper emergency action, a tooth that has been knocked out of its socket can be successfully replanted and last for years.
In the event this happens to you or a loved one, hold it only by the white part and wash it briefly (max 10 seconds) under cold running water and then immediately try to reposition the tooth in the socket. To reinsert, carefully push the tooth into the socket and hold the tooth in place by gently biting down on it.
If you’re unable to re-insert the tooth into the socket, it’s essential to keep the tooth moist until you see your endodontist. A tooth can be saved if it remains moist in an appropriate storage solution, so put the tooth in a glass of milk, special storage medium (such as Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution), or transported in the mouth, keeping it inside the lip or cheek if the patient is conscious. Do NOT store the tooth in water, scrub the tooth, wrap the tooth in a tissue or cloth, or let it dry out.
Depending on the length of time the tooth was out of the mouth and the way it was stored, it will determine the type of treatment you receive. Based upon the stage of root development, your endodontist will determine if and when to start root canal treatment.
Dislodged Tooth
Traumatic injuries to the mouth sometimes cause teeth to be pushed back into their sockets. In this case, your endodontist may reposition and stabilize your tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, no other treatment may be necessary. However, if the pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be required.
Cracked tooth
Treatment for cracked teeth is dependent on the location, type and size of the crack. For example, a smaller fracture with damage to the pulp will likely require a root canal.
Contact Upper East Side Endodontists in NYC
Among our full scope of endodontic procedures, our skilled team has extensive experience in traumatic injuries in addition to pediatric endodontics. If you or your child has suffered a traumatic tooth injury, contact Upper East Side Endodontists, where the root of our practice is unsurpassed care, compassion and comfort!