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Dental injuries Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about dental injuries

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

I lost a tooth in a hockey match but I don't like wearing the false tooth that my dentist made. Is there any alternative?

It's not possible to recommend a single alternative for your denture (false tooth) as everyone is different so you will need to be examined by your dentist. Generally, alternatives such as bridges or implants can be used to fill the space. You may be recommended orthodontic treatment to move in the nearby teeth to fill the gap.

Explanation

A denture with a single artificial tooth is an effective way to fill the gap while the socket heals. It also gives you time to discuss the long-term options with your dentist.

A bridge can be a very effective option - this is an artificial tooth that is permanently attached to the tooth or teeth either side of the gap. There are a number of types of bridge available, and your dentist will be able to recommend the best design for you.

You may be able to have an implant to replace your missing tooth. An implant is a small rod made of titanium that is placed in the jawbone where your tooth used to be. You will need to have a short procedure under local anaesthetic - this completely blocks feeling from the area and you will stay awake during the procedure. After three to six months your bone fuses with the metal implant. A small attachment will be left poking through your gum and an artificial tooth is screwed or clipped onto this attachment. You won't be able to remove the artificial tooth. The implant will be invisible.

Depending on the shape, colour and condition of your teeth it might be possible to hide the gap by moving adjacent teeth into the space. You will need to wear orthodontic braces and the treatment will take some months or years to complete. This option means that you won't need to have any artificial teeth in the space, but it may not be possible to achieve a perfectly symmetrical result.

If you still play hockey or any other contact sport, it might be best to carry on with your denture, at least until you retire from the sport. Implants, bridges and orthodontic treatment all take a long time and can be expensive, and could be damaged if you have another accident. You can remove your denture before each game so it won't get broken. Talk to your dentist to see if any improvements can be made to the appearance or fit of your current denture.

You can prevent further dental injuries by wearing a well-fitting mouthguard.

Further information

Sources

  • Mitchell DA, Mitchell L. Oxford handbook of clinical dentistry. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Elsevier, 2007
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One of my front teeth was pushed into the gum in an accident so it looks shorter than the one next to it. Will it go back to how it used to be?

This is called an intrusion injury and you can have treatment to correct it. The success of the treatment depends on how far the tooth has been pushed in and how old you are.

Explanation

Adult front teeth come through to replace the milk (baby) teeth at around the age of seven to eight. However, the roots of these teeth continue to develop for the next couple of years. This is a crucial factor that affects the treatment of intrusion injuries.

If you have an intrusion injury to one of your front teeth before the age of about 10, the root of the tooth will be quite immature and will probably be able to recover. It will usually move back through the gum (re-erupt) of its own accord within a month. If it doesn't, you can have a special orthodontic brace fitted to help pull it into the correct position.

However, if you're much older than 10, the root will be fully formed and less able to cope with the injury. The core of blood vessels in the tooth (the pulp) will probably get cut off during the injury and your tooth will die. In this situation, the root of your tooth may start to dissolve quite rapidly (root resorption). This can lead to a wobbly tooth that you may eventually need to have taken out. In these circumstances your dentist probably won't leave your tooth for a month to see if it re-erupts. He or she will usually recommend an orthodontic brace to pull down your tooth straight away, as well as root canal treatment to remove the pulp. A special dressing placed inside your tooth can help to prevent root resorption.

Further information

Sources

  • Mitchell DA, Mitchell L. Oxford handbook of clinical dentistry. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Elsevier, 2007
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My child fell and cut the inside of his/her lip with the front teeth. Will this affect the developing adult teeth?

The main factors that determine whether or not your child's adult teeth will be affected are the severity of the bump and his/her age. Take your child to the dentist as soon as possible so that the teeth and gums can be checked for any wobbliness, swelling or discolouration.

Explanation

Any potential long-term effects largely depend on your child's age. Adult front teeth start to form deep inside the gums during babyhood. By the age of four or five the crowns (the white parts) are completely formed. At about seven to eight years old the front milk (baby) teeth fall out and the adult ones come through in their place.

The crucial time for the development of the crowns (the white parts that will be visible in your child's adult smile) is up until the age of four or five. If the front milk tooth is bumped during this time, it's possible that the enamel of the developing adult crown could be affected. This could alter the colour or shape of the adult tooth.

If the damage is more severe, the angle at which the adult tooth grows might be changed, or it may not come through as expected (at around eight years of age). However, this is only likely if your child's injury was more serious, for example if the tooth was pushed up into the gum.

If your child's teeth look the same as they did before and the only sign of the fall is a cut lip, it's likely that the adult teeth won't be affected. In the under fives there is always a risk that the developing adult tooth could be affected, but your dentist will be able to give you advice on this after examining your child. It may not always be possible for your dentist to be sure about damage which can be invisible until the adult teeth come through.

Further information

Sources

  • Mitchell DA, Mitchell L. Oxford handbook of clinical dentistry. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Elsevier, 2007
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Dental injuries factsheet

 

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