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Teeth that have been knocked out
Mouth injuries can result in teeth being pushed back into their sockets. Your dentist or a specialist like Dr. David Z. Li, Dr. Jung Lim, Dr. Gee, Dr. Oo, may need to reposition and stabilize the tooth. An endodontic specialist, like Dr. Sin or Dr. Hosn, removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection. Root canal treatment typically begins shortly after the injury, with a medication like calcium hydroxide being placed inside the tooth. Eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be inserted.
If a tooth is partially pushed out of the socket, your endodontist or general dentist may reposition and stabilize it. If the pulp is healthy, no further treatment is needed. However, if the pulp is damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be necessary. Untreated, complications such as infection of the tooth, root system, or surrounding tissue, poor hygiene due to difficulty cleaning the dislodged tooth and gums, and potential tooth loss can occur.
Avulsed Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out due to an injury, it is crucial to seek immediate treatment. Keep the tooth moist by placing it back in the socket if possible. Alternatively, you can store the tooth in milk or a glass of water with a pinch of salt. Dr. David Z. Li, Dr. Jung Lim, Dr. Gee, Dr. Oo, Dr. Sin, and Dr. Hosn, may recommend root canal treatment depending on the stage of root development and how the tooth was stored. The duration the tooth was out of the mouth and its storage conditions will impact the type of treatment needed.
Children's Tooth Injuries
If a young tooth is injured, it may require one of the following procedures to increase the likelihood of saving the tooth:
Apexogenesis
This process promotes continued root development as the pulp heals. Medication is applied to the soft tissue to stimulate growth. The apex of the root will gradually close as the child ages, leading to thickening of the root canal walls. If the pulp heals, no further treatment will be needed. The more mature the root becomes, the higher the likelihood of saving the tooth.
Apexification
When unhealthy pulp is removed, doctors insert medication into the root to promote the formation of hard tissue near the root tip. This hardened tissue acts as a barrier for the root canal filling. Without further development of the root canal walls, the tooth becomes vulnerable to fractures. Therefore, it is crucial to have the tooth properly restored by your dentist.