Dental Trauma Surgery Whenever anyone suffers an injury, it can both be alarming and shocking to suffer through. This can be even more intense when the injury happens to the oral cavity. The injuries might involve broken or chipped teeth or even severe damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. These can greatly impact the patient's appearance. Obviously, with teeth that are cracked or chipped or even knocked out entirely, patients can have a lot to sort through. The important thing is to be seen as soon as possible following an oral trauma. The sooner the injuries can be assessed, the sooner restorative procedures can be done to correct the damage and stabilize the oral cavity. We are always available for our patients at Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.Dental Trauma DefinitionThe definition of a dental trauma is when one or more sections of the oral cavity experience an injury. This might include cuts or abrasions to the gums or tongue or other soft tissues of the mouth. It could also include the teeth, resulting in chips, cracks, or removal. There are some situations in which the tooth might break off exposing the dentin or pulp of the tooth's interior. Symptoms of Dental TraumaMost people immediately think about the outward physical damage to a tooth when they imagine a dental trauma. They often will picture broken or chipped teeth and a lot of blood in the oral cavity. Those are significant but merely the outward signs of the injury. There are other considerations to be made when discussing dental trauma that need to be addressed. Some damage cannot be seen in the mirror or felt with the tongue because damage can remain hidden beneath the surface of the gums. Injuries can include damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which secures the lower jaw to the skull. Damage in this area can sometimes manifest itself in the form of a clicking sound while chewing. In other circumstances, there can be significant damage to the jawbone which is not visible except via x-rays. These types of injuries can lead to jaw misalignment problems and tooth misalignment. What Kind of Treatments are Available?Most every patient who suffers an injury to their oral cavity experiences a high degree of stress. The injuries should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure that the damage is properly assessed, and proper treatment is performed to minimize any further damage. The longer the wait, the more significant the injuries can be. It also means that more procedures will be necessary in order to address the damage. We will take x-rays and make appropriate recommendations regarding treatment during our assessment. Once that is done, we will go over the treatment plan for the patient so they are aware of what work will need to be done. Patients who have suffered a dental trauma need to come in to be fully assessed so treatment can be administered. We can determine the type of treatment necessary to help repair the damage. Please come see us at Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery or give us a call at 207-401-5006. Call today to schedule an appointment. |
