Dental Trauma

Dental Trauma Treatment In North Atlanta, GA

The fear of traumatic injuries shouldn’t keep you from participating in your favorite outdoor activities, but you should always have the number of a trustworthy practice that offers dental trauma treatment in Georgia in case the worst happens. At North Atlanta Family Dentistry, we treat a wide variety of dental injuries at our Johns Creek and Cumming offices.

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What are traumatic dental injuries?

Traumatic dental injuries happen all the time, and they can be unpredictable. Some people may end up with cracked teeth from something as small as biting into a portion of hard food, while others may damage their teeth from recreational activities or sports. What sets dental trauma apart from other aspects of family dentistry is its propensity to happen unexpectedly.

Traumatic dental injuries generally fall into three categories:

Tooth breakage, including cracked, broken, and chipped teeth
Displacement, or a tooth that has been moved suddenly from its original placement but hasn’t been completely knocked out
Avulsion, or a tooth that has been knocked out

Combinations of the above injuries can happen, as can invisible injuries. For example, tooth cracks can occur below the gumline in some individuals. These are called root fractures, and they are challenging to diagnose since they are hard to see and identify. Always be sure to visit your dentist after a traumatic injury because invisible injuries, if left alone, can cause expensive and significant issues down the line.

Preventing Traumatic Dental Injuries

Since traumatic dental injuries tend to be sudden and unexpected, they can be difficult to prevent. There is no way to know in advance when you might suffer from a car accident or unexpected fall, but there are things you can do to decrease your overall susceptibility to dental injuries.

For example, if you participate in high-impact recreational activities that pose a risk to your teeth, you may want to consider wearing a custom mouthguard fitted by your dentist.

Increasing the overall health and strength of your teeth is another way to help stave off traumatic injuries. For example, if you have weak teeth that are prone to cracking and chipping, consider using a strengthening fluoride mouthwash or adding more calcium to your diet. Make sure to consult with an expert in dental trauma treatment in Georgia to see what prevention steps will work best for you.

Dental Trauma Treatment

The treatment of a traumatic dental injury varies depending on how severe the injury is, how quickly you have it treated, and the type of injury.

Chipped, Broken, And Cracked Teeth

If one of your teeth chips, breaks, or fractures, it’s important to see a clinic that offers dental trauma treatment in Georgia right away. Chipped and cracked teeth are often repaired with crowns, a permanent tooth cover that protects the remaining tooth from infection and further damage.

In the event of a broken tooth, it may be possible to reattach it to your crown if you find the broken portion. However, if not, it may be repairable with a veneer. This is a common treatment for older chipped or broken teeth that weren’t treated at the time of injury.

If your tooth has cracked below the gum line, it will require professional inspection and treatment based on how severe the crack is. In the worst case, it may require a root canal or extraction since a crown cannot protect the root from further damage.

Displaced Teeth

Displaced teeth can be a complicated fix. For example, if any teeth have been forced further into your jawbone or against other teeth, it’s essential to see a qualified dentist right away — preferably within six hours of receiving the injury. Don’t try to fix them yourself! Your dentist will be able to determine what needs to be done to restore your teeth. Usually, your dentist will reset your teeth and splint them in place until the injury heals.

Tooth Avulsion

If one or more teeth have been completely knocked out, it’s important to make an appointment with a trauma dentist right away. However, you should also take some steps on your own to give you the best chances of recovery.

Firstly, if you can, recover the teeth that have been knocked out. If they are dirty, rinse them gently with clean water. Then, push the teeth carefully back into their respective sockets while being careful not to touch the root of each tooth. If you aren’t sure where the displaced teeth go or how they should be reset, it may be best to leave this step to a professional. You can store the tooth in a cup of milk or saltwater temporarily until you receive treatment.

If you’ve been through a traumatic incident that resulted in dental injury, be sure to call your respective North Atlanta Family Dental office in Johns Creek, GA right away.