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My Blog

Posts for tag: dental injury

Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love

By Edward C. Monroe DDS PA
February 05, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
DentalInjuryIsJustaTemporarySetbackforBasketballStarKevinLove

The March 27th game started off pretty well for NBA star Kevin Love. His team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were coming off a 5-game winning streak as they faced the Miami Heat that night. Less than two minutes into the contest, Love charged in for a shot on Heat center Jordan Mickey—but instead of a basket, he got an elbow in the face that sent him to the floor (and out of the game) with an injury to his mouth.

In pictures from the aftermath, Love’s front tooth seemed clearly out of position. According to the Cavs’ official statement, “Love suffered a front tooth subluxation.” But what exactly does that mean, and how serious is his injury?

The dental term “subluxation” refers to one specific type of luxation injury—a situation where a tooth has become loosened or displaced from its proper location. A subluxation is an injury to tooth-supporting structures such as the periodontal ligament: a stretchy network of fibrous tissue that keeps the tooth in its socket. The affected tooth becomes abnormally loose, but as long as the nerves inside the tooth and the underlying bone have not been damaged, it generally has a favorable prognosis.

Treatment of a subluxation injury may involve correcting the tooth’s position immediately and/or stabilizing the tooth—often by temporarily splinting (joining) it to adjacent teeth—and maintaining a soft diet for a few weeks. This gives the injured tissues a chance to heal and helps the ligament regain proper attachment to the tooth. The condition of tooth’s pulp (soft inner tissue) must also be closely monitored; if it becomes infected, root canal treatment may be needed to preserve the tooth.

So while Kevin Love’s dental dilemma might have looked scary in the pictures, with proper care he has a good chance of keeping the tooth. Significantly, Love acknowledged on Twitter that the damage “…could have been so much worse if I wasn’t protected with [a] mouthguard.”

Love’s injury reminds us that whether they’re played at a big arena, a high school gym or an outdoor court, sports like basketball (as well as baseball, football and many others) have a high potential for facial injuries. That’s why all players should wear a mouthguard whenever they’re in the game. Custom-made mouthguards, available for a reasonable cost at the dental office, are the most comfortable to wear, and offer protection that’s superior to the kind available at big-box retailers.

If you have questions about dental injuries or custom-made mouthguards, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries” and “Athletic Mouthguards.”

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Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing

By Edward C. Monroe DDS PA
November 17, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury   dental emergency  
NoahGallowaysDentallyDangerousDancing

For anyone else, having a tooth accidentally knocked out while practicing a dance routine would be a very big deal. But not for Dancing With The Stars contestant Noah Galloway. Galloway, an Iraq War veteran and a double amputee, took a kick to the face from his partner during a recent practice session, which knocked out a front tooth. As his horrified partner looked on, Galloway picked the missing tooth up from the floor, rinsed out his mouth, and quickly assessed his injury. “No big deal,” he told a cameraman capturing the scene.

Of course, not everyone would have the training — or the presence of mind — to do what Galloway did in that situation. But if you’re facing a serious dental trauma, such as a knocked out tooth, minutes count. Would you know what to do under those circumstances? Here’s a basic guide.

If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out of its socket, you need to act quickly. Once the injured person is stable, recover the tooth and gently clean it with water — but avoid grasping it by its roots! Next, if possible, place the tooth back in its socket in the jaw, making sure it is facing the correct way. Hold it in place with a damp cloth or gauze, and rush to the dental office, or to the emergency room if it’s after hours or if there appear to be other injuries.

If it isn’t possible to put the tooth back, you can place it between the cheek and gum, or in a plastic bag with the patient’s saliva, or in the special tooth-preserving liquid found in some first-aid kits. Either way, the sooner medical attention is received, the better the chances that the tooth can be saved.

When a tooth is loosened or displaced but not knocked out, you should receive dental attention within six hours of the accident. In the meantime, you can rinse the mouth with water and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) to ease pain. A cold pack temporarily applied to the outside of the face can also help relieve discomfort.

When teeth are broken or chipped, you have up to 12 hours to get dental treatment. Follow the guidelines above for pain relief, but don’t forget to come in to the office even if the pain isn’t severe. Of course, if you experience bleeding that can’t be controlled after five minutes, dizziness, loss of consciousness or intense pain, seek emergency medical help right away.

And as for Noah Galloway:  In an interview a few days later, he showed off his new smile, with the temporary bridge his dentist provided… and he even continued to dance with the same partner!

If you would like more information about dental trauma, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Trauma & Nerve Damage to Teeth” and “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries.”

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World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!

By Midland Dental
August 09, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
WorldCupSoccerCoach-DentistSavestheDay

If you followed the 2018 FIFA World Cup Soccer games, you probably know that one of this year’s biggest surprises was the debut of the team from Iceland—the smallest country ever to earn a chance at the sport’s top prize. But here’s something you may not have known: When he’s not on the field, the team’s coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, is a practicing dentist! Those two skill sets might not seem like a natural fit… but they came together dramatically at a recent contest.

At a local women’s game last summer, when a player was hit and her tooth was knocked out, Dr. Hallgrímsson took immediate action. “I jumped on the pitch and put the tooth back in, took her to a dental office and fixed it,” he said.

Not everyone has the special training or ability to fix a tooth that has been damaged or knocked out—but there are some simple things that you can do to help an adult who has suffered this kind of injury. Here’s a quick run-down:

  • After making sure the person is stable and not otherwise seriously injured, try to locate the tooth.
  • Handle it carefully, without touching root surfaces, and clean it gently with water if possible.
  • Try to open and gently rinse out the mouth, and find where the tooth came from.
  • Carefully place the tooth back in its socket, making sure it is facing the right way, and hold it in place with a soft cloth.
  • If the tooth can’t be re-implanted, place it in a bag with a special preservative solution, milk or saliva, or have the person hold it between the cheek and gum—but make sure it isn’t swallowed!
  • Rush to the nearest dental office or urgent care facility.

When these steps are followed and the person receives professional treatment as quickly as possible (ideally within minutes), their tooth will have the best chance of being saved. But even if it isn’t possible to preserve the tooth, receiving prompt and appropriate care can make replacing the tooth much easier.

Having Dr. Hallgrímsson on the sidelines was a lucky break for the injured soccer player—and as a coach, just getting to the World Cup is a remarkable achievement. But you don’t need to be a coach (or a dentist) to give first aid in a dental emergency. Taking the right steps can help ensure the best possible outcome… and might even save a tooth!

If you would like more information about emergency dental treatment, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor articles “Knocked Out Tooth” and “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries.”

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2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth

By Midland Dental
January 18, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury   chipped tooth  
26MillionFansLikeJustinBiebersChippedTooth

Is a chipped tooth big news? It is if you’re Justin Bieber. When the pop singer recently posted a picture from the dental office to his instagram account, it got over 2.6 million “likes.” The snapshot shows him reclining in the chair, making peace signs with his hands as he opens wide; meanwhile, his dentist is busy working on his smile. The caption reads: “I chipped my tooth.”

Bieber may have a few more social media followers than the average person, but his dental problem is not unique. Sports injuries, mishaps at home, playground accidents and auto collisions are among the more common causes of dental trauma.

Some dental problems need to be treated as soon as possible, while others can wait a few days. Do you know which is which? Here are some basic guidelines:

A tooth that’s knocked out needs attention right away. First, try and locate the missing tooth and gently clean it with water — but avoid holding the tooth’s roots. Next, grasp the crown of the tooth and place it back in the socket facing the correct way. If that isn’t possible, place it between the cheek and gum, in a plastic bag with the patient’s saliva or a special tooth preservative, or in a glass of cold milk. Then rush to the dental office or emergency room right away. For the best chance of saving the tooth, it should be treated within five minutes.

If a tooth is loosened or displaced (pushed sideways, deeper into or out of its socket), it’s best to seek dental treatment within 6 hours. A complete examination will be needed to find out exactly what’s wrong and how best to treat it. Loosened or displaced teeth may be splinted to give them stability while they heal. In some situations, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.

Broken or fractured (cracked) teeth should receive treatment within 12 hours. If the injury extends into the tooth’s inner pulp tissue, root canal treatment will be needed. Depending on the severity of the injury, the tooth may need a crown (cap) to restore its function and appearance. If pieces of the tooth have been recovered, bring them with you to the office.

Chipped teeth are among the most common dental injuries, and can generally be restored successfully. Minor chips or rough edges can be polished off with a dental instrument. Teeth with slightly larger chips can often be restored via cosmetic bonding with tooth-colored resins. When more of the tooth structure is missing, the best solution may be porcelain veneers or crowns. These procedures can generally be accomplished at a scheduled office visit. However, if the tooth is painful, sensitive to heat or cold or producing other symptoms, don’t wait for an appointment — seek help right away.

Justin Bieber earned lots of “likes” by sharing a picture from the dental office. But maybe the take-home from his post is this: If you have a dental injury, be sure to get treatment when it’s needed. The ability to restore a damaged smile is one of the best things about modern dentistry.

If you have questions about dental injury, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Repairing Chipped Teeth” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”

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Common Types of Tooth Injuries and How to Treat Them

By Midland Dental
February 09, 2016
Category: Oral Health
Tags: dental injury  
CommonTypesofToothInjuriesandHowtoTreatThem

Although naturally resilient, your teeth still face some significant dangers. Tooth decay and gum disease, “enemies” within the mouth, can severely damage your teeth and eventually lead to their loss.

But there are also external dangers just as devastating — traumatic injuries that can happen in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, we can treat even the most serious of these injuries and increase the chances of an injured tooth’s survival.

Here are some of those common dental injuries:

Chipped or Fractured Teeth. This is a case where a part of the tooth has been broken but it’s still firmly rooted in the mouth. If small portions of the enamel or dentin (the next underlying layer of the tooth) have been chipped, we may be able to reattach them or fill the affected tooth area with a natural-colored filling (larger broken portions may require a complete crown). If the damage has injured or exposed the inner pulp, a root canal treatment might be in order to prevent infection and reduce pain.

Dislocated (Luxated) Teeth. A dislocation occurs when the impact moves the tooth in an abnormal way in the socket. We must first reposition the tooth and, if need be, stabilize it by splinting it to neighboring teeth. This type of injury may also require a root canal treatment.

Knocked out (Avulsed) Teeth. It’s quite possible to replant a knocked out tooth — if you act quickly. Without touching the root, the tooth should be rinsed with cold, clean water and then placed into the empty socket within five minutes of the injury. If placement isn’t possible, the tooth should be placed in a container with milk or with some of the injured person’s collected saliva (to keep the root from drying out), and sent with the injured person to treatment. We need to see the injured person as soon as possible to make sure the tooth is repositioned properly and take other measures to protect it. We’ll also need to monitor it for proper healing for awhile.

Although some injuries may be too severe to save a traumatized tooth, seeking immediate treatment certainly increases the chances for survival. If you or a family member experiences such an injury, keep calm and contact us immediately.

If you would like more information on treating dental injuries, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Trauma & Nerve Damage to Teeth.”

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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
      • January (3)
        • Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
        • Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
        • Lasers Could be the Future for Gum Disease Treatment
        • Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
      • November (3)
        • Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
      • October (3)
        • No Need to Fret Over Implant Surgery
        • Dental Implants can also Support Other Traditional Restorations
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • September (3)
        • Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
        • Correcting a Poor Bite Improves Dental Health as Well as Smile Appearance
        • Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
      • August (3)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
      • July (3)
        • Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Get Your Vitamins the Natural Way for Optimum Dental Health
      • June (3)
        • Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
        • Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
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        • Replace Teeth for Better Speech
        • 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
      • April (2)
        • Why You Should Consider a Professional Procedure for Your Teeth Whitening
        • Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
      • March (3)
        • Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • It's Spring Cleaning Time...for Your Teeth!
      • February (2)
        • Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
        • Get Ahead of Bite Problems with Interceptive Orthodontics
      • January (2)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • Your Health Could Affect the Longevity of a Dental Implant
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Gum Disease can Prevent Your Gums from Protecting Your Teeth
        • Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
      • November (2)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • An Early Orthodontic Evaluation May Alert to Developing Bite Problems
      • October (2)
        • Sedation During Dental Visits can Reduce Anxiety
        • These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
      • September (2)
        • A Toothless Tiger?
        • Know Your Toothpaste: How to Simplify Your Purchasing Decision
      • August (3)
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • July (2)
        • Good Bone Health Essential for Obtaining 'Teeth in One Day' Implants
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
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        • For Your Teeth's Sake, Exercise Caution Consuming Energy or Sports Drinks
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
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        • Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
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        • Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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        • Even if a Root Canal Won't Work, This Procedure Could Save your Tooth
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
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        • Don't Put Off Getting Treatment for Your Sensitive Teeth
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • With Proper Care, you can Lower Your Risk of Tooth Loss as You Age
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        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
        • Keep Ahead of Potential Sidetracks to Your Child's Oral Health
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        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
        • Start Early with Your Baby's Dental Care
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        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
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        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
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        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • September (2)
        • Gum Recession Could Shorten the Life of Your Teeth
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
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        • Ease Your Child's Discomfort During Teething
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
      • July (3)
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        • A Royal Fix
        • The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
      • June (2)
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        • Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
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        • Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
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        • 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
      • March (2)
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • 4 Advantages to Using Composite Resins for Restoring Teeth
      • February (2)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Common Types of Tooth Injuries and How to Treat Them
      • January (3)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Know the Facts to Reduce Your Child's Teething Discomfort
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match

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(910) 695-3334

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