Traumatic Dental Injuries

Dental injuries can happen suddenly and often require urgent attention. While they are most common in children and teenagers—especially from sports accidents, falls, or car accidents—people of all ages can experience dental trauma. Even a minor injury should be evaluated as soon as possible, because neighboring teeth or roots may also be affected without obvious symptoms.

If you’ve experienced a dental injury, contact our office immediately so we can evaluate and treat the area properly.

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

Chipped teeth are the most common dental injury. Small chips can often be repaired with smooth bonding or a tooth-colored filling. If a larger portion breaks off, the tooth may need a dental crown for strength and protection.

For back teeth, injuries may lead to cracked cusps, split teeth, or deep fractures. If a crack extends into the root, root canal therapy and a crown may be needed. In severe cases where the tooth cannot be saved, an extraction may be necessary.

Dislodged Teeth (Luxation)

A dislodged tooth is one that has been pushed out of place—either into or partially out of its socket. When this happens, the tooth can often be repositioned and stabilized. Root canal treatment may be needed afterward to protect the tooth, especially in adult teeth.

Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsion)

When a tooth is completely knocked out, time is critical. Follow these steps right away:

• Handle the tooth only by the crown (top part), not the root
• If dirty, rinse gently with water only
• Do not scrub or use soap
• Try to place it back into the socket immediately if possible. If that's not possible, keep the tooth moist in milk or in the mouth and seek emergency care. The sooner the tooth is replanted, the better the chance of saving it.

Root Fractures

A severe impact can fracture the root of a tooth beneath the gumline. Success depends on how close the fracture is to the root tip—fractures near the tip have a better outcome than those near the gumline. In some cases, splinting the tooth can help stabilize it during healing.

Dental Injuries in Children

Baby teeth (primary teeth) are handled differently than adult teeth:

• Chipped baby teeth can usually be smoothed or restored
• Dislodged baby teeth may sometimes be repositioned
• Knocked-out baby teeth are not replanted due to risk of damaging permanent teeth underneath. Injuries to developing permanent teeth require careful follow-up to ensure proper root growth and tooth development.

Root Resorption

After trauma, the body may mistakenly begin to break down parts of the injured tooth—a condition called root resorption. After an injury, regular follow-up exams and X-rays are important to detect and treat resorption early.

When to Call

With dental trauma, immediate care matters. If you or your child experiences a dental injury, contact our office right away so we can help prevent long-term damage and protect your oral health.