Dental Trauma in Bloomington, IN

When dental trauma occurs, it can be exceedingly disturbing, painful, and upsetting for patients, who are sometimes unsure of the best course of treatment. Our skilled doctors at Lisa J. Baker, DDS in Bloomington, IN are on hand to assist patients who have suffered from dental trauma, to assess them swiftly to get them feeling better, and to treat and fix the problem.

What Is Dental Trauma?

Physical harm to the teeth, gums, alveolar bone, or soft tissue of the mouth, including the lips and tongue, is referred to as dental trauma. Dental trauma encompasses a wide range of injuries, including the following:

• Chipped tooth
• Tooth fractures, such as root fractures and enamel fractures
• Tooth knocked loose (subluxation)
• Tooth jammed into the socket (intrusion)
• Tooth knocked out (avulsion)
• Fracture of the tooth socket wall
• A fractured jaw
• Lacerations of the lips
• Lacerations of the gums

What Factors Contribute to Dental Trauma?

The majority of dental trauma cases are the result of an accident, such as a fall, a vehicle collision, or participation in sports. Some cases are the result of involvement in violent occurrences, such as fighting or physical abuse.

Treatments for Dental Trauma

The type of treatment is determined by the nature of the trauma. Mouth and tooth injuries should be evaluated by a dentist, especially if a tooth has gone loose or has incurred damage. When a tooth is damaged, the adjoining teeth may suffer injuries as well, which are not usually obvious unless a dental checkup is performed.

• To replace the lost portion of a chipped or broken tooth, a tooth-colored filling may be recommended. If a large portion of the crown is missing, an artificial crown or cap may be substituted.
• More significant injuries, such as split teeth, may necessitate the extraction of the tooth entirely.
• Teeth that have become dislodged should be stabilized by a dentist, and root canal treatment may be required.
• Root canal treatment may not be necessary for children under the age of 12 because their teeth are still developing and may be able to heal on their own. The dentist will closely monitor them to see whether any more treatment is required.
• Back tooth injuries, such as shattered cusps, may necessitate a root canal and a full-coverage crown.
• Other treatment alternatives to replace the tooth may be addressed in some situations, such as if the knocked-out tooth cannot be identified or if it is not treated quickly enough.

Do you want to know more about the treatment options for treating trauma from the experts at Lisa J. Baker, DDS? Call our Bloomington, IN dental office at (812) 269-8230 to schedule your appointment.