Dental Trauma

For a traumatic dental emergency, please call or text (201) 567-7766

Dento-facial injury is very common and can affect the teeth, gums, tongue, lips and bones. Traumatic dental injuries can occur in children and adults as a result of an accident or sports injury. Most injuries are minor and result in a chipped tooth; However, more serious injury of tooth avulsion (knocked out completely) and lip or gum laceration can occur. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Regardless of the extent of the injury, your tooth requires immediate examination by a dentist trained in treating dental trauma.

Different tooth injuries include:

Fracture – crack in the tooth or root. Treatment depends on the location of the fracture

Concussion – bruising of the tooth ligament. This condition can usually be treated palliatively but may require additional treatment in the future

Subluxation – a slight misalignment of the tooth caused by an injury. This condition may require repositioning or stabilization of the tooth

Extrusion – displacement of the tooth outside of the original socket. Extrusion requires replacement of the tooth into its original position with stabilization

Lateral Luxation – displacement of the tooth in a lateral position with fracture of the surrounding bone. Treatment includes replacement of the tooth into its original position with stabilization

Intrusion – displacement of the tooth up into the original socket. Treatment may include palliative care or replacement of the tooth into its original position with stabilization

Avulsion – complete displacement of the tooth outside of the socket. Treatment is time sensitive and requires immediate reimplantation of the tooth into the socket. If tooth avulsion occurs, please place the tooth in milk or saline solution and reach out to our office as soon as possible.