Traumatic Tooth Injuries & Dental Emergencies in Charlotte
A dental injury can happen suddenly and may damage a tooth, its root, or the surrounding tissues. Falls, sports injuries, car accidents, and other impacts to the mouth can cause teeth to become displaced, loosened, fractured, or completely knocked out.
When a tooth has been injured, prompt evaluation can be important to protecting your oral health and, in many cases, saving the natural tooth. Queen City Endodontics provides specialized care for traumatic tooth injuries throughout Charlotte and the surrounding communities, with convenient offices serving Matthews and South Charlotte, the University area, and Lake Norman.
If you or your child has experienced a dental injury, contact our office as soon as possible. Some traumatic tooth injuries require immediate treatment, even when the damage is not obvious.
Types of Traumatic Tooth Injuries
Dental trauma can affect a tooth in several different ways. An injury may damage the visible portion of the tooth, the root, the supporting tissues, or the pulp inside the tooth.
Common traumatic dental injuries include:
- Dislodged or displaced teeth that have been pushed into or partially out of their sockets
- Avulsed teeth that have been completely knocked out
- Loose or mobile teeth following an injury
- Damage to the dental pulp or tissues surrounding the root
- Traumatic injuries to developing permanent teeth in children
Because dental trauma can have delayed effects, it is important to have an injured tooth evaluated even if it does not hurt or appears to be intact.
Dislodged or Displaced Teeth
A traumatic injury can cause a tooth to move from its normal position. A tooth may be pushed backward or forward, deeper into its socket, or partially out of the socket. These injuries are sometimes referred to as dislodged or displaced teeth.
Drs. Haglund, Coe, Kleitches, Hubbard, Hutcheson, Carpenter, Lynn, Rockett or your general dentist may reposition the tooth and stabilize it while the surrounding tissues heal.
Trauma can also affect the pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. In some cases, the pulp remains healthy and the tooth can be monitored. In other cases, the pulp may become damaged or infected and require Root canal.
The timing of root canal treatment depends on the type of injury, the condition of the pulp, the development of the tooth, and other factors. Your endodontist will evaluate the tooth and recommend the appropriate treatment and follow-up schedule.
Without appropriate evaluation and monitoring, a traumatized tooth may develop infection, inflammation, changes in color, damage to the surrounding tissues, or eventually become impossible to save.
Avulsed or Knocked-Out Teeth
A completely knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency. Getting treatment as quickly as possible can improve the chances of saving the tooth.
What to Do if a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out
- Find the tooth. Carefully pick it up by the crown, which is the part normally visible above the gum. Avoid touching the root.
- Gently rinse the tooth if it is dirty. Use clean water and do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue attached to the root.
- If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket. Do not force the tooth into place. If you cannot safely reinsert it, keep it moist.
- Keep the tooth in an appropriate storage medium. Milk or a tooth-preservation solution can help keep the tooth moist while you seek treatment. Do not allow the tooth to dry out.
- Seek emergency dental care immediately. Contact your dentist or endodontist and explain that a permanent tooth has been knocked out.
Time matters when a permanent tooth is knocked out. The length of time the tooth remains outside the mouth, how it is stored, the condition of the tooth, and the stage of root development can all affect the recommended treatment and prognosis.
Drs. Haglund, Coe, Kleitches, Hubbard, Hutcheson, Carpenter, Lynn or Rockett will evaluate the tooth and determine whether root canal treatment or another procedure is appropriate. Treatment may vary depending on whether the tooth has completed root development.
Tooth Injuries in Children
Dental trauma in children requires special consideration because permanent teeth may still be developing. An injury can damage the pulp of an immature permanent tooth and potentially interfere with normal root development.
Depending on the condition of the tooth, an endodontist may recommend treatment designed to preserve the remaining healthy pulp or manage an unhealthy pulp while protecting the developing tooth.
Apexogenesis
Apexogenesis is a treatment approach designed to preserve healthy pulp in an immature permanent tooth so the root can continue developing naturally.
When successful, the root continues to mature, the root tip (apex) continues to close, and the walls of the root become thicker and stronger. Preserving the tooth’s natural development can improve its long-term strength and prognosis.
Apexification
Apexification may be considered when the pulp of an immature permanent tooth is no longer healthy. The unhealthy pulp is removed, and medication or a specialized material is used to create a barrier near the root tip.
Because the root walls do not continue normal development after the pulp is removed, the tooth may be more susceptible to fracture. A proper restoration by your general dentist is an important part of protecting the tooth.
Signs You Should See an Endodontist After a Tooth Injury
Not every traumatic tooth injury causes immediate pain. However, even a tooth that feels normal after an accident may have damage that requires monitoring or treatment.
Contact a dentist or endodontist promptly if you or your child has:
- A tooth that has been completely knocked out
- A tooth that has moved from its normal position
- A loose or displaced tooth
- Significant pain or sensitivity following an injury
- Swelling or bleeding around an injured tooth
- A tooth that becomes darker or changes color after trauma
- Pain or swelling that develops after a previous dental injury
- An injured developing permanent tooth
Can a Traumatized Tooth Be Saved?
In many cases, an injured tooth can be saved with prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment. The prognosis depends on several factors, including the type and severity of the injury, the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues, the stage of root development, and how quickly treatment is provided.
Even when an injured tooth feels fine, follow-up appointments are important. Damage to the pulp or supporting tissues may not become apparent immediately. An endodontist can monitor the tooth and recommend treatment if signs of infection or other complications develop.
Emergency Endodontic Care for Dental Trauma in Charlotte
When a tooth is knocked out, displaced, or seriously injured, getting the right care quickly can make a difference. Queen City Endodontics provides specialized treatment for traumatic tooth injuries in Charlotte and surrounding communities.
Our offices provide convenient access to endodontic care for patients in Charlotte, Matthews, South Charlotte, the University area, and Lake Norman. If you have experienced a traumatic dental injury, contact the Queen City Endodontics office that is most convenient for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Tooth Injuries
Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency?
Yes. A completely knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate dental attention. Keep the tooth moist and seek professional treatment as quickly as possible. The sooner the tooth is properly evaluated and treated, the better the potential prognosis.
Can a dislodged tooth be saved?
Often, yes. A dislodged or displaced tooth may be repositioned and stabilized while the surrounding tissues heal. The tooth will need follow-up care because trauma can damage the pulp or tissues supporting the tooth.
Will I need a root canal after a tooth injury?
Not every traumatized tooth requires a root canal. Your endodontist will evaluate the tooth and monitor its condition. Root canal treatment may be recommended if the pulp becomes damaged, dies, or develops an infection.
What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
A knocked-out permanent tooth in a child requires immediate dental care. Handle the tooth by the crown, avoid touching the root, keep it moist, and contact your child’s dentist or an endodontist immediately for instructions and treatment.
Can a tooth die after an injury?
Yes. Trauma can damage the pulp inside a tooth, and the pulp may die even when the tooth initially appears normal. Follow-up examinations allow your dentist or endodontist to monitor the tooth for changes and determine whether treatment is needed.
How long after a tooth injury can complications develop?
Some complications can occur days, weeks, months, or even years after dental trauma. Regular follow-up is important because your dentist or endodontist may be able to identify changes before they cause significant symptoms.
Why should I see an endodontist after dental trauma?
Endodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating problems involving the dental pulp and the tissues surrounding the roots of teeth. They have specialized training in treating traumatic dental injuries and can determine whether a tooth needs immediate treatment or ongoing monitoring.
Get Treatment for a Traumatic Tooth Injury in Charlotte
Prompt treatment may help preserve an injured natural tooth. If you or your child has experienced a knocked-out, dislodged, displaced, or otherwise traumatized tooth, contact Queen City Endodontics as soon as possible.
With offices serving Charlotte, Matthews and South Charlotte, the University area, and Lake Norman, our team makes it convenient to access specialized endodontic care when you need it.