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Dental trauma refers to injuries to the teeth, gums, jawbone, or other tissues in the mouth. They usually occur as a result of blows, falls, or sports activities.

What Are Dental Traumas?

Tooth Fractures: It is the breaking of all or part of the tooth.
- Surface fracture: Only the outer layer of the tooth is damaged.
- Root fracture: A fracture occurs in the root of the tooth.
Tooth Loss (Avulsion): It is the complete displacement of the tooth.
Tooth Displacements (Luxation): It is the movement of the tooth from its normal position.
Soft Tissue Injuries: It is the cutting or injury of intraoral soft tissues such as lips, cheeks or gums. Early treatment is especially important to control bleeding and prevent the risk of infection.
Jaw Fractures: It is the formation of a fracture in the jawbone.

Causes of Dental Trauma

Sports Activities: Especially common in contact sports.
Falls: A common cause especially in children.
Traffic Accidents: Dental trauma can occur when a direct blow is received to the mouth area.
Violence: Can occur as a result of being hit with a fist or a hard object.

What to Do in Case of Dental Trauma?

Stay Calm: It is important to consult a dentist without panic.
If There Is Bleeding: Try to stop the bleeding by pressing lightly with a clean cloth.
If There Is a Broken Tooth Fragment: Keep it in a clean container in water or milk.
If There Is a Dislodged Tooth: Put it in milk or saline solution without touching the dirty surface of the tooth.

Treatment of Dental Traumas

The treatment of dental traumas varies according to the severity and type of injury. Treatment methods include:

Composite Fillings: Treatment of the tooth with aesthetic fillings according to the fracture level of the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment: If the fracture level of the tooth reaches the pulp (nerve) tissue, the process of cleaning and filling the nerves of the tooth is performed.
Periodontal Splints: Even if the position of the tooth has changed or it has completely moved from its place, the tooth is placed close to its previous position and splinted with other neighboring teeth.
- Early intervention is very important here.
- The tooth affected by the trauma also needs root canal treatment.
- The tooth is checked monthly after the procedure.
- Follow-up is especially important in teeth whose root development is not completed.
Tooth Extraction: Extraction of severely damaged teeth.
Tooth Veneer: Veneering broken teeth.
Implant: Placing an implant in place of lost teeth.

Protection from Dental Traumas

Use of Mouth Guards: Using mouth guards, especially during sports, prevents dental injuries.
Reducing the Risk of Falling: Take precautions to reduce the risk of falling at home and outside.
Comply with Traffic Rules: Following rules reduces the risk of dental trauma in traffic accidents.

Let’s not forget: Dental trauma and its effects give more successful results when diagnosed and treated early. Therefore, in case of any dental trauma, you should consult a dentist without waiting!