Traumatic Tooth Injury Care in Houston, TX

Traumatic tooth injuries often result from accidents or sports injuries. Treatment options will depend on the type, location, and severity of the damage. The most important thing you can do is to contact Prime Endodontics immediately for the evaluation and stabilization of the affected tooth. Dr. Shakiba and her team will spare no effort to preserve an injured tooth.

What Are Common Traumatic Tooth Injuries?

The most common types of traumatic tooth injuries include knocked-out (avulsed) teeth, dislodged (luxated) teeth, or cracked or fractured teeth. Traumatic injuries need treatment as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. A tooth treated promptly has the best chance of being saved with the help of treatments coordinated between an endodontist and a general dentist.

How Will Your Traumatic Tooth Injury Be Treated?

Knocked-Out Teeth

If you or a loved one have a knocked-out tooth, gently rinse the affected tooth without touching the root. Keep the tooth moist by sliding back into its socket, and if that’s not possible, place it in a container of milk or water with a dash of salt. Contact us immediately. The length of time the tooth remains out of its socket will determine whether or not we can save it. Ideally, the tooth should receive emergency treatment within an hour of injury.

During your visit, Dr. Shakiba will evaluate the tooth and will return it to its socket. She will place a stabilizing splint for the next few weeks. Depending on the stage of root development, Dr. Shakiba may recommend root canal therapy a week or two later.

Dislodged Teeth

A dislodged tooth is one that has been pushed sideways, out of, or into its socket. Root canal therapy is typically required after stabilizing the tooth to preserve it. Children ages 12 and under may not need root canal therapy because their teeth are still developing. Dr. Shakiba will monitor the healing and will intervene immediately if necessary.

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

If a piece of a tooth breaks off, a general dentist will need to restore the crown of your tooth. If a chip or fracture exposes the tooth pulp, endodontic treatment is necessary. When it comes to adult teeth, Dr. Shakiba may recommend root canal therapy to save the tooth.

Children’s permanent teeth or adult teeth that are not fully developed at the time of the injury may require special attention. In an immature adult tooth, the apex, or the tip of the root, is open, and the root canal walls are thin. An injured immature tooth may require a procedure known as apexogenesis, which involves placing medication on the injured soft tissue to encourage the root to continue developing as the pulp heals. If apexogenesis does not succeed, a procedure known as apexification may be necessary.

Apexification involves the removal of the damaged pulp tissue and the placement of medication into the root to allow a hard tissue to form near the root tip. That provides a barrier necessary for a successful root canal procedure.

Root Fractures

A traumatic injury to a tooth may result in a horizontal root fracture. The closer a fracture is to the root tip, the better chances it has for long-term health. A fracture closer to the chewing surface of the tooth is more problematic. Stabilization with a splint may be necessary while the tooth heals. If the pulp tissue is damaged, root canal treatment may be required.

Traumatic Tooth Injury Care Near Me

In the event you or a loved one sustains a traumatic tooth injury, contact Prime Endodontics in Houston, TX, for specialized care. Dr. Shakiba and her team will do everything possible to preserve a natural tooth. You can always expect exceptional, gentle care.

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