People who suffer from dental trauma can experience negative effects on both aesthetics and functionality. Whether you’re dealing with severe pain or bleeding, you need to contact an emergency dentist in Richmond as soon as possible. Seeking immediate dental attention is crucial in restoring the injured tooth’s appearance and function. Understanding what dental trauma is will be helpful in case you encounter one in the future.
What You Need to Know About Dental Trauma
What Is Dental Trauma?
Dental trauma results from an injury to the teeth, lips, gums, tongue, and jawbones. Since soft tissue injuries to the mouth often involve excruciating pain, these require prompt treatment. If left untreated, dental trauma can cause severe oral health issues.
What Are the Common Types of Dental Trauma?
Tooth Concussion
A tooth concussion is one of the mildest types of dental injuries. Although this type of injury may strain or sever some periodontal fibers, the injured tooth remains intact in the socket and isn’t loose. However, it may exhibit sensitivity to diagnostic tapping or touch, and the gum tissue surrounding it may bleed slightly and become swollen.
Tooth Fracture
While a superficial fracture is exclusively confined to the tooth’s outer layer, the enamel, a serious fracture exposes the tooth’s inner parts, such as the dentin and the pulp. Most superficial fractures involve result from mild injuries. However, if the fracture leaves the injured tooth with a sharp edge, the dentist has to file it down.
Alternatively, serious fractures cause the injured tooth to become more sensitive to touch, heat, or cold. Without prompt treatment, serious fractures can lead to bacterial infections.
Tooth Displacement
A displaced tooth results from a more severe knock that may cause the tooth to sink deep into the socket or hang loosely. However, a severe blow may knock the tooth out completely. The injury may also fracture the bone that holds the tooth in place. Since tooth displacement involves damaged blood vessels, dental professionals treat it with root canal therapy.
Do You Need to See an Emergency Dentist in Richmond?
At Commonwealth Endodontics, we provide high-quality dental trauma services to help bring your smile back to normal. Contact us today to make an appointment.