When it comes to dental trauma, the most common cause is due to sports-related injuries. In fact, it is estimated 13 to 39 percent of all dental injuries are related to sports. When trauma to the mouth or jaw occurs, it is not uncommon to have a tooth become chipped, cracked or even knocked out. Approximately 5 million people lose teeth in sports injuries, which is why it is vital to wear an athletic mouthguard to protect the teeth from damage. However, we understand that many often do not wear a protective mouthguard, which can lead to dental injuries. As a family and children’s dentist in Wichita Falls, we treat dental injuries to restore the health, function, and beauty of your smile.
Treating Dental Injuries
When trauma to the mouth or jaw occurs, the most common forms of dental injuries include a chipped, broken or knocked out tooth. If a tooth has been damaged due to trauma to the mouth, you need immediate care. The sooner you receive care, the more likely we can restore the tooth’s health.
Those who have had a tooth become chipped, cracked, or broken will likely need a dental crown to repair the tooth. Severe damage to the tooth requires a crown to be placed over the tooth to restore the tooth’s function and appearance, while protecting the tooth from additional damage. A dental crown is essentially a cap that is placed over the tooth and bonded into place. Now, advancements in dentistry allow for dental crowns to look like a natural tooth with the use of porcelain. You will gain a high-quality crown that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
In some cases, you may have a tooth that has been fully knocked out. Often, we can reinsert the tooth. However, when a tooth is lost from trauma, the odds of successfully reinserting the tooth decrease because the root of the tooth or the tooth itself is damaged.
If we are not able to reinsert the tooth, you will need a tooth replacement. Among the most common option for tooth replacement involves a dental bridge and crown. This is an affordable and convenient option to replace the lost tooth. A dental bridge fills the space of the missing tooth with a prosthetic tooth. Then, the dental bridge is anchored in place by attaching dental crowns to the adjacent teeth. This provides you with a complete smile to protect your oral health, functions, and confidence.
Your Dentist for Dental Injuries
We understand just how frightening it can be to have a dental injury. We are here for you to help repair the damage with bridges and dental crowns in Wichita Falls. We encourage you to prevent trauma using a mouthguard because they are proven to reduce the severity of dental injuries from sports.
No matter if you need a mouthguard or have suffered from a dental injury, we will help protect and restore your smile. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment. We provide you with the comprehensive dental care you need to protect your smile.