Sports injuries happen, and sometimes, they cause injury to the teeth or mouth. Fortunately, an emergency pediatric dentist can treat sports-related dental trauma. Their goal is not only to treat the injured tooth but also to restore and preserve the smile's overall health.
There are many ways in which the mouth can get injured while playing sports. According to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, common types of sports-related traumatic dental injuries include:
The patient should see an emergency pediatric dentist within 24 hours of the dental trauma. Prompt treatment increases the chance of a better health outcome. Therefore, seeing a dentist sooner rather than later helps to ensure the child gets the treatment they need to preserve their oral health.
How an emergency pediatric dentist treats sports-related dental trauma will vary by the type of injury and its severity. Some common emergency dental treatments include the following.
As oral healthcare practitioners, an emergency pediatric dentist can treat soft tissue injuries in the mouth. This may involve providing stitches to close a deep cut in the gums or prescribing antibiotics to prevent the cut from becoming infected.
Dental fillings can fill cracked teeth and rebuild chipped teeth. Fillings may contain metal or a tooth-colored material known as composite resin. Either material can restore the damaged tooth, preventing the damage from worsening. More severe damage, such as a severely chipped tooth, will need a dental crown. These restorations fit on top of the tooth like a cap.
A root canal procedure may be needed if the sports injury affects the tooth's root, such as if a tooth sustains a deep hairline fracture. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the emergency pediatric dentist will remove any affected tissue, nerves, or blood vessels in the root. The final step will be to restore the tooth with a dental crown.
For a luxation, the tooth may be stabilized with a dental splint. An emergency pediatric dentist will provide a custom-fit splint. They may also recommend splints after replanting an avulsed tooth.
If an avulsed tooth cannot be replanted, the emergency pediatric dentist will clean and seal the area. They can then recommend tooth replacements, such as dental bridges. They will also recommend replacing teeth that have been damaged beyond repair. In these cases, they can perform a tooth extraction, as well.
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If your child has sustained dental trauma from a sports injury, consult an emergency pediatric dentist. Our team can provide oral health-preserving treatments quickly and efficiently. Call us today.
Request an appointment or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at 832-579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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