DENTAL INTRUSION

Sometimes, dental trauma forces a tooth (or several teeth) into the jawbone. The prognosis is better for teeth that have been pushed to a lesser extent (less than 3mm), but every situation is unique. Oftentimes, the force of the trauma is great enough to injure the tooth’s ligament and fracture its socket.

If dental intrusion of either the primary or permanent teeth is suspected, it’s important to contact the dentist immediately. Depending on the nature and depth of the intrusion, the dentist will either wait for the tooth to descend naturally, or perform root canal therapy to preserve the structure of the tooth.

Steps to Take:

• Rinse the mouth with cold water.

• Place ice packs around affected areas to reduce swelling.

• Offer an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Contact the dentist when possible, or proceed to the emergency room.