Dental Injuries

Traumatic Dental Injuries

Many dental injuries occur during childhood but can happen at any stage of life. Common causes include falls, sporting accidents, assault, or motor vehicle collisions. Trauma may affect the hard tooth structure, pulp, bone, or surrounding soft tissue. While some injuries are immediately visible, others may be subtle and still lead to serious complications.

Often, impact-related injuries compromise the pulp and the surrounding root tissues. If the pulp becomes damaged or bacteria infiltrate due to trauma, endodontic treatment may be needed to protect or restore the tooth.

In young patients, trauma can interrupt the blood supply to the pulp. If this occurs before the root has fully formed, it can halt natural root development, as living pulp is needed to form dentine and continue root maturation.

When a tooth has a thin root wall or open apex, specialist endodontic care is required. Our goal is to support revascularisation, continued root growth, or apex closure. Preserving or restoring root thickness is essential to ensure the long-term strength and health of the tooth.

Children and Young Patients

In younger individuals, especially when the affected tooth hasn’t completed root development, endodontic treatment may not be immediately required. The open root end allows for natural revascularisation, which can support pulp survival.

However, ongoing follow-up with your Endodontist or general dentist is essential to monitor for signs of continued root growth, vitality, or the need for further management.

Did You Know?

Teeth that have been knocked out of the mouth should be replaced into the tooth socket as soon as possible — or placed in a glass of cold milk to preserve the ligament cells on the root surface.

Please see your dentist or Endodontist immediately. They will stabilise your tooth and assess whether endodontic treatment is necessary.

First Aid

What to do if a permanent tooth is knocked out (avulsed):

  1. Find the tooth. Hold it by the crown (white part), not the root (yellow part).
  2. Replant immediately, if possible.
  3. If dirty, rinse briefly with cold tap water (max 10 seconds) and put the tooth back in its place. This can be done by the child or an adult.
  4. Hold the tooth in place by gently biting on a handkerchief. Go to the dentist immediately.
  5. If replanting isn’t possible, place the tooth in a cup of cold milk or saline. If unavailable, place it inside the mouth (between the cheek and gums).
  6. Immediately seek emergency dental treatment.

Delayed Storage (over 1 hour)

If the tooth has been dry or stored in water for more than 1 hour, your Endodontist will need to clean and medicate the root canal system as soon as possible.
Such cases have a high risk of root resorption and may require alternative treatment in the long term.

REMEMBER

Good oral hygiene is essential during the healing period for the best possible outcome.

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