Most mouth injuries should be examined by your pediatric dentist right away. Teeth need to be examined for hairline cracks, the mouth needs to be examined for fractures to the bones, and soft tissues need to be examined to assure no foreign objects have made their way in. If enamel is damaged or chipped, it needs to be fixed to avoid further breakdow and the possibility of tooth pain. At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, you can count on us to be ready when you need us to address any mouth injury to make sure it is managed in the best way possible and causes the least long term stress to you and your child.
Exercise caution to avoid a chipped tooth
Prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to teeth damage. Consult your pediatric dentist or orthodontist for custom mouthguards that effectively protect the teeth of active kids.
Always call your pediatric dentist first for mouth injuries
Hospital emergency rooms may make you wait for care that isn’t specialized to the oral cavity. Unless there is major tissue laceration, our pediatric dentists are trained to best address injuries to the hard and soft tissues in and around the mouth. Most often, we can proceed to examining the teeth for damage after cleaning things up. We will also clearly explain the long term plan for management of any soft or hard tissue injuries. Learn more about our Emergency Protocal by clicking here.
Solutions for chipped teeth
Crown:This might be the first thing parents think of when it comes to damaged teeth. We use crowns to cover significant decay, cracks or chips in a tooth. Crowns are made from metal or ceramic or composite tooth colored fillings (especially common for youngsters). This crown coverage protects dental nerves from exposure, which will prevent pain. The crown also protects the tooth from further breakdown and strengthens the tooth.
Depending on the situation, a crown can take one or more appointments. Location in the mouth and nature of the way the teeth bite together will determine how long a crown will last in the mouth.
Bonding: This is for smaller chips. We bond a tiny amount of composite resin to cover the chip and seal the tooth. Think of this as a new enamel layer that matches the color of the rest of the tooth. This typically lasts for 5 or so years and needs periodic replacement/maintenance.
Dental implants: This is for extreme cases where the tooth is too badly broken to be saved. Note that even knocked-out teeth can be saved when they are addressed quickly and properly!
In cases where too much decay or a really bad break happens, the tooth is extracted, and an implant replaces it as a natural feeling substitute with great esthetics.
Implants typically cannot be placed in a growing child’s mouth, however so other solutions will have to be found until growth is complete and our pediatric dentists and orthodontists can help with that also.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
