Football, basketball, cycling, martial arts and even everyday falls can damage teeth. A chipped, cracked or knocked-out tooth is distressing, but quick action and modern cosmetic dentistry can restore both function and appearance. Here is what to do and what treatment options are available.
Rinse your mouth gently with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Collect any broken tooth fragments and keep them in milk or saline. If a tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown, not the root, rinse it briefly if dirty and try to place it back in the socket. If that is not possible, keep it in milk and see a dentist immediately. Time is critical for saving knocked-out teeth.
Small chips can often be repaired with composite bonding in a single visit. In some cases, a broken fragment can be bonded back onto the tooth. Larger chips may need a veneer or crown.
Cracks can extend into the tooth and affect the nerve. Your dentist will assess the tooth with X-rays and tests. Treatment may include bonding, crowns or root canal treatment if the nerve is affected.
If a knocked-out tooth is replanted quickly, it may be saved. It will be splinted to neighbouring teeth and monitored. If the tooth cannot be saved, options include implants, bridges or bonded bridges.
A tooth that has been injured may darken over time due to nerve damage. Internal whitening, veneers or crowns can restore its appearance after any necessary treatment.
Wear a custom mouthguard for contact sports and activities with a risk of falls. Custom guards offer better protection and comfort than generic options.
Injured teeth should be monitored over time, as problems can develop months later. Attend follow-up appointments and report any pain, swelling or colour changes.
Dental injuries can require several stages of treatment, from emergency care to cosmetic restoration and long-term monitoring. Keep records of the injury, including when and how it happened, and any receipts. Some insurance policies and school or sports club policies may cover part of the cost of accidental dental injuries. Ask the clinic for a written treatment plan and estimate, which can help with insurance claims. Your dentist will prioritise saving the tooth and restoring comfort first, then plan cosmetic repairs.
Children and teenagers are especially prone to dental injuries during sport and play. Baby teeth that are knocked out should not be replanted, as this can damage the developing adult tooth underneath, but the child should still be seen by a dentist promptly. Injured adult teeth in young people need careful monitoring because their roots may still be developing. Early, appropriate treatment helps protect the tooth and preserve future options. Encouraging children to wear mouthguards for sport is one of the most effective ways to prevent these injuries.
Sometimes, if it is replanted quickly. Seek emergency dental care immediately.
Usually with composite bonding, or a veneer or crown for larger chips.
Trauma can damage the nerve, causing discolouration. Treatment is available.
Contact us promptly after a dental injury. Learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Al Ain.
Call 03 751 0245 WhatsApp 056 536 4536 Email Us