Here's A Quick Guide...
Dislodged Teeth
Injuries to the mouth can sometimes cause teeth to be pushed back into their sockets. Dr. Roth or your general dentist may gently reposition and stabilize the affected tooth. In many cases, root canal treatment is initiated within a few weeks of the injury. During this process, a medication such as calcium hydroxide may be placed inside the tooth before a permanent root canal filling is completed.
In other instances, a tooth may be partially dislodged from its socket. Dr. Roth or your general dentist can reposition and stabilize the tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, no further treatment may be needed. However, if the pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be necessary.
Without proper treatment, complications can develop. These may include infection of the tooth, root system, or surrounding tissues; difficulty maintaining proper oral hygiene due to misalignment; and, in more severe cases, loss of the tooth.
Avulsed Teeth
If an injury causes a tooth to be completely knocked out, it is critical to seek immediate care. If this happens, keep the tooth moist at all times. If possible, gently place it back into the socket. A tooth has the best chance of being saved if it remains moist—alternatively, you can store it in milk or in a glass of water with a pinch of salt.
Dr. Roth will evaluate the tooth and may begin root canal treatment depending on the stage of root development. The length of time the tooth has been out of the mouth, as well as how it was stored, will influence the type of treatment recommended.
Tooth Injuries in Children
An injured immature tooth may need one of the following procedures to improve the chances of saving the tooth:
Apexogenesis
This procedure is designed to allow the root to continue developing while the pulp heals. Dr. Roth places a specialized medication over the soft tissue to promote natural growth. As your child grows, the tip of the root (apex) continues to close, and the walls of the root canal become thicker and stronger. If the pulp heals successfully, no further treatment may be needed. The more developed the root becomes, the greater the likelihood of preserving the tooth long-term.
Apexification
When the pulp is no longer healthy, Dr. Roth will remove the affected tissue and place medication inside the root to encourage the formation of a hard barrier near the root tip. This barrier allows for proper placement of the root canal filling. However, because root development does not continue, the canal walls remain thinner, which can make the tooth more prone to fracture. For this reason, it is important to have the tooth properly restored by your general dentist to ensure long-term strength and function.