Traumatic Injuries

Dislodged Teeth

Injuries to the mouth can cause teeth to be pushed back into their sockets. or Dr. Richardson may reposition and stabilize your tooth. Root canal treatment is usually started within a few weeks of the injury and a medication may be placed inside the tooth prior to completion of the root canal therapy. Eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be placed.

Sometimes a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket. Again, Dr. Richardson may reposition and stabilize your tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, then no other treatment is necessary. Yet, if the pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be required.  Teeth that experience trauma may need immediate treatment or may need treatment in the future depending on the extent of the trauma and the response of the individual tooth/teeth.

Avulsed Teeth

If an injury causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of your mouth, it is important that you are treated immediately! If this happens to you, keep the tooth moist. If possible, put it back into the socket. A tooth can be saved if it remains moist and can be treated within a very short time window after the trauma. You can even put the tooth in milk or a glass of water (add a pinch of salt).

Dr. Richardson may start root canal treatment based upon the stage of root development. The length of time the tooth was out of your mouth and the way the tooth was stored, may influence the type of treatment you receive.

If the tooth cannot be put back in place, Dr. Richardson will discuss your options with you.

Injuries in Children

If a child experiences dental trauma, please call Dr. Richardson immediately and she will discuss treatment timing (which may be immediate) or advise you as to what steps need to be taken.