How an Emergency Pediatric Dentist Treats Sports-Related Dental Trauma

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.

Types of sports-related dental trauma

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:

• Soft tissue injuries. Cuts and lacerations in the mouth, such as on the gums
• Dislocated teeth. Also known as avulsion, this is when the tooth is knocked out of the socket
• Displaced teeth. Also known as luxation, this refers to teeth that are knocked loose but remain in the socket
• Fractured teeth. Broken teeth, such as chipped or cracked teeth

How soon should your child see a dentist?

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.

Emergency pediatric dental treatments for sports dental trauma

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.

Stitches and other soft tissue injury treatments

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 and crowns

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.

Root canal procedure

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.

Tooth stabilization

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.

Tooth replacement

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.