In our regular routine, we encounter multiple dental issues, whether it is a simple one or maybe a severe health problem, dental care is important in all cases. Timely diagnosis and treatment is compulsory to maintain a good oral health condition. But, many of us usually ignore the minor issues happens with our tooth. One such matter that is overlooked is dental trauma, or it is also known as tooth extrusion.
However, it is uncommon but has a significant effect on our daily life activities. So, it is important for all of us to understand what is dental trauma, how to diagnose and treat this problem?
What is Dental Trauma Or Extrusion?
Any dental injury characterized by total or partial separation of periodontal ligament (PDL) results in a displacement or tooth loosening. The alveolar socket bone is intact during extrusion injury as opposed to lateral luxation injury. Moreover, the tooth may have an element of retrusion or protrusion during axial displacement. In chronic extrusion injuries, the protrusion/retrusion element can be pronounced. In many cases, it may be more prominent than extrusive elements.
Additionally, dental extrusion is also defined as tooth displacement and appears as an elongated form. Due to the oversensitivity of teeth, dental trauma may cause intense pain. Sometimes, the PDL is also torn in case of severe trauma. During radiographic examination. The extruded or damaged tooth appears to have more space between the socket inside the gum and tooth.
It is also a result of any sport-related injuries. If the nerve and blood vessels are not properly intact to the socket, the tooth also has dental trauma chances. You must visit your dentist to know the cause properly, diagnose the condition, and get on-time treatment.
How To Diagnose the Dental Extrusion?
Commonly the affected tooth appears to be elongated. Therefore, the dentist performs a percussion, mobility, and sensibility test to check the tooth condition. The tooth is excessively mobile and lacks sensibility test response except for the tooth having minor displacements. These tests are also significant in assessing and analyzing the risk of healing complications.
A positive result to the initial test represents the minimized risk of later pulp necrosis. In immature teeth, pulp revascularization commonly occurs. In mature teeth, pulp revascularization may or may not happen. There is an increased space of periapical ligament and may also cause excessive bleeding from gums.
Is Traumatic Dental Injury Differ in Children?
Baby teeth may be esthetically restored. In some cases, dislodge primary teeth can be repositioned. Unfortunately, though, primary teeth have been knocked out and should not be replanted because they can also cause permanent damage to the underlying tooth growing inside PDL. At the time of injury, the children’s permanent teeth are not fully developed and need special care and attention, but not all teeth need root canal treatment.
In permanent immature teeth, blood supply and stem cells in tooth region may stimulate root growth. Your dentist will try to save the natural tooth and treat the incomplete formed tooth roots. In some cases, the roots can continue to develop and help in making mature teeth.
What Should Be Done If I Have Dental Trauma?
If you have identified the possibility of dental trauma, immediately visit your dentist. Do not pull or extract your tooth on your own. Instead of pulling it, take the over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also apply ice on the affected area to relieve pain.
Your dentist will assess the trauma condition and plan the treatment that is dependent on the trauma severity. For example, primary teeth in children are possibly easy to re-attach if trauma is not severe. However, in severe cases, the teeth can be extracted with the help of dental surgical instruments.
Though, permanent teeth are clearly of a higher priority for reattachment during dental procedures.
How Will My Tooth Extrusion Be Treated?
Different trauma conditions can be treated in different ways. Have a look at other treatment ways for various trauma conditions!
• Chipped or fractured teeth
• Dislodged (luxated) teeth
• Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
Treatment for Fractured Tooth
Commonly, the fractured tooth is easily repaired by re-attaching the broken piece or with the help of putting tooth-colored filling. However, if a tooth crown is broken off, an artificial cap or crown may be required to restore it.
Dislodged (luxated) Teeth
In some cases, the tooth may be pushed slightly out of the socket. The dentist will reposition it and stabilize the tooth into its socket. Usually, root canal treatment is required for the dislodged permanent teeth and should be done after some days of injury. Once the treatment is deemed successful, a permanent crown or root canal filling will be placed after a day.
Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsed)
If your teeth are completely knocked out, immediately seek attention from your dentist. The treatment should be received within 30 minutes.
Time is important; if you receive treatment timely, there is a chance to save your teeth.
Following are some significant steps to increase the chances to save your tooth
- Evaluate the condition and place the tooth back in the socket
- Also, asses any facial injury
- Stabilizing splint placed for almost two weeks.
- Your dentist may start root canal treatment after a week or two, depending on the condition of root development.
Your dentist will apply local anesthesia to reduce the pain around the trauma. In some cases, an X-ray will also be needed to ensure the actual condition inside the mouth. There are three ways to reattach the extruded tooth:
- A synthetic cloth or metal mesh can bond the extrusion to the surrounding tooth back.
- An orthodontic bracket may also attach the tooth with a wire connecting the brackets.
- Wire and resin material also helps to bind the extruded tooth to other teeth.
This method will leave for up to 10 days, as the tooth properly connects to other teeth and heals. After that, a follow-up must be scheduled to remove the mesh, wiring, or brackets. If any tissue or blood vessels damages during dental surgical procedures, your dentist will go with a root canal.
Ending Note
Be sure to visit your dentist if you feel tooth extrusion or trauma. Like toothache, the dental trauma is also time-sensitive. So, timely visit your dentist for best possible results.
