Frequently Asked Questions,
What to do in the event of traumatic injuries to the teeth
No injury or damage to the tooth is too complex for our specialist, Dr. Darlene Davis, to effectively and painlessly resolve. In fact, dentists from throughout the Suwanee, Georgia area and beyond refer their valued patients to her. As with other conditions explored on this website, the online “home” of Soft Touch Endodontics, lasting relief from often distressing oral symptoms starts with an accurate diagnosis. Some forms of traumatic dental injuries may be quite visible. How trauma like avulsed (knocked-out) teeth are treated in the moments following the injury matters. Dr. Davis is an endodontist specializing in “saving” badly damaged teeth. You can trust her expertise to preserve teeth that may, from the outset, seem to be irreparably damaged.
What are traumatic dental injuries?
Dental injuries that are described as “traumatic” may occur as the result of chronic conditions. These include fractures caused by behaviors like teeth grinding that can threaten the crown and underlying tooth structure. Enamel erosion and decay can gradually wear away at the teeth, too, and produce cracks of varying severity (see our “cracked teeth” page for more information). Notably, acute trauma may occur due to accidents, such as falls and blows or contact to the face while playing sports. The force from such contact can traumatize the teeth. A tooth may be partially or fully dislodged. One of the more dramatic examples of these injuries is the avulsed tooth. These teeth are completely knocked out of their sockets.
How do you treat dental trauma?
It depends on the type and extent of damage to the tooth! For some fractures or breakage, little more than a strong and attractive dental restoration (like a crown) may be needed to prevent further damage. For other types of cracks, we may need to go in and access the innermost tooth structure. The damaged pulp or even parts of the root may be removed to restore the tooth with nonsurgical root canal therapy and endodontic surgery, respectively.
Now, for teeth that are loose, displaced, or completely avulsed, we urge you to contact us immediately. We can provide ways to carefully handle the affected tooth until you get to our office in Suwanee, Georgia. For instance, an avulsed tooth must be kept moist to enhance the odds of it being successfully reimplanted back into its socket. If it can be placed back in your mouth safely, do so! Otherwise, we recommend storing the tooth in a “Save-A-Tooth™” type of solution, salt water, or milk. For loosened or dislodged teeth, Dr. Davis will gently and precisely reposition the tooth. It is restabilized. If the pulp has been damaged, root canal therapy is done to remove injured tissues. A medication may also be introduced to aid in healing the tooth.
I think my tooth is damaged. What should I do?
There is certainly a reason you suspect something is amiss. Have you noticed changes? Such as tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet. Does it hurt when you bite down when chewing? These and other symptoms are indicative of damage, and your damaged tooth requires treatment to get it back in shape and avoid irreparable injury resulting in tooth loss. Call Soft Touch Endodontics without delay at 770-831-7644. Our specialty care supports the comfortable and successful treatment of even the most traumatized teeth.