Dental Trauma Treatment at Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco in Frisco TX
A fall, a sports injury, or biting down on something hard can damage a tooth within seconds. It could be a small chip or a tooth knocked out completely, but getting treated fast gives you the best chance of saving it.
At Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco, Dr. Brent Johnson treats all kinds of dental trauma and works to save your natural tooth whenever possible. No matter how big or small the injury looks, it is always worth getting it checked right away.
Understanding Dental Trauma and Its Common Types
Dental trauma means any injury to your teeth, gums, or the bone that holds them in place. Most of these injuries happen during sports, falls, car accidents, or sometimes just from biting down on something hard the wrong way.
Common types of dental trauma include:
- A chipped tooth, where a small piece of enamel breaks off
- A cracked or fractured tooth, which can go deeper than it looks
- A tooth pushed out of position, also known as a displaced or luxated tooth
- A tooth knocked out completely, known as an avulsion
- A fracture in the root of the tooth, which may not show up without an X-ray
Chipped teeth are the most common type of injury and usually the easiest to treat. Knocked-out or badly displaced teeth are less common but far more serious and require immediate attention.
Benefits of Early Treatment for Dental Trauma
With dental trauma, timing matters more than almost anything else. A tooth treated promptly has a much better chance of being saved than one left untreated for an hour or two.
This is especially true for a knocked-out tooth:
- Getting it back into the socket within about an hour gives it the best chance of survival
- Keeping it moist the entire time matters just as much as the timing
- Letting the tooth dry out, even briefly, can cause lasting damage to the root surface that treatment cannot fix later
Even injuries that seem small, like a minor chip, are worth getting checked:
- The damage sometimes goes deeper into the tooth than what's visible from outside
- A nearby tooth may also be affected without showing any clear signs
What to Do After a Dental Injury
How you handle the first few minutes after a dental injury can affect how well things turn out later. Here's what to do depending on the situation:
Chipped or cracked tooth:
Rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Keep any broken pieces and contact Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco promptly..
Knocked-out tooth:
Handle the tooth by the crown and rinse gently if needed. If possible, place it back in its socket; otherwise, keep it in milk or your cheek and seek prompt treatment at Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco.
Tooth pushed out of place:
Do not touch or move the tooth, as this can cause more damage. Use a cold compress for swelling and contact our office immediately for assistance.
Treatment Options for Dental Trauma
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, which is why every case starts with a full exam, often including X-rays to check for damage that isn't visible on the outside.
Depending on what Brent Johnson finds, treatment may include:
- A simple filling or bonding for minor chips that haven't reached the inner part of the tooth
- A root canal is necessary if the injury has exposed or damaged the pulp inside the tooth
- Splinting to hold a tooth in place that has shifted, while it heals
- Replanting and stabilizing a knocked-out tooth, followed by monitoring over the next few weeks
- A crown to protect and restore the tooth once the more serious damage has been treated
Some injuries also require follow-up visits over the next few months, since certain issues, such as changes in the root, can take time to show up.
Recovering After a Dental Injury
After treatment, a tooth that has been through trauma needs a little extra care while it heals.
A few things that help recovery go smoothly:
- Stick to softer foods for the first few days
- Avoid biting down hard on the injured tooth until Brent Johnson confirms it has healed
- Keep brushing and flossing as usual, just be gentle around the area
- Attend every follow-up visit, even if the tooth feels fine, since some issues take time to show up
Most injured teeth that receive prompt care heal well and can last for years afterward.
Payment and Insurance
Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco accepts dental insurance, and we know figuring out coverage can be confusing. Our team is happy to sit down with you, explain your benefits, and walk through your payment options before any treatment starts, so you know exactly what to expect.
Dealing With a Dental Injury? Contact Us Right Away!
If you or someone in your family has been through a dental injury, don't wait it out. Call Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco right away so Brent Johnson can take a look and start treatment as soon as possible.
Contact Information:
Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco
6351 Preston Rd #301
Phone: (214) 423-7668
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Lakeside Endodontic Group of Frisco
6351 Preston Rd #301
Frisco, TX 75034