How is dental trauma treated?
There are several procedures dentists use to treat traumatic dental injuries. The type of treatment that’s right for you depends on the type of injury you have.
Common dental trauma treatments include:
- Dental fillings and dental bonding.
- Root canal therapy.
- Restabilization or replantation.
- Tooth extraction.
- Tooth replacement.
We’ll explore each of these in more detail below.
Dental fillings and dental bonding
Dentists use dental fillings or dental bonding to camouflage chips and cracks and rebuild mildly damaged teeth. Providers typically reserve this treatment for minor dental injuries.
Root canal therapy
If a crack or fracture reaches your tooth pulp, you’ll need root canal therapy. This treatment removes the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues inside your tooth. You may also need a dental crown to protect your tooth.
Restabilization or replantation
For a dislodged or knocked-out tooth, a dentist may try to restabilize or replant your tooth in its socket. For restabilization, they’ll make a custom splint to place over your teeth. This will keep the affected tooth from moving until the surrounding ligaments reattach.
If your tooth came completely out of its socket, a dentist may try to replant it before giving you a custom splint to wear.
Tooth extraction
In some cases, damaged teeth are beyond repair. If you have severe tooth trauma, a dentist may recommend tooth extraction (removal).
After extracting your tooth, your dentist may place a dental bone graft in the socket to preserve your jawbone and prevent bone loss in the future.
Tooth replacement
If dental trauma results in tooth loss, ask your dentist about replacement options. It’s important to replace lost teeth. If you don’t, the gaps in your smile can have a negative impact on speaking and chewing function.
Common teeth replacement options include dental bridges and dental implants. Your dentist can help determine which option is right for you.
