From cuts and lacerations to broken teeth, jaws, and cheekbones,
specialized treatment can help ensure your recovery from
a dental injury. Serious facial trauma can impact your
sight and your ability to breathe, speak and swallow.
Dental trauma usually involves:
- Breaking a tooth
- Knocking a tooth loose, or
- Knocking a tooth out
Most broken teeth can be repaired if the injury is
above the gum line. Loosened teeth can usually be saved
if they are promptly stabilized by the dentist within
a day or two of the injury. Teeth that have been knocked
out need to be replaced very quickly-within an hour
of injury, typically-to have a good chance of being
saved.
Treatment for facial fractures is similar to that for
other broken bones. It can involve a range of wiring
and plating techniques to align and secure the parts
of the bone and allow sufficient time for healing. Depending
on the patient, this can sometimes require hospitalization
and six weeks or more of dental wiring. Not all dental
injuries are this serious, but it's good advice not
to take any facial trauma lightly. Another good idea
is to practice prevention. Automobile seat belts, mouth
guards for athletes and other common sense practices
can help you avoid serious facial injuries.
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