Dental trauma refers to trauma (injury) to the teeth and/or periodontium (gums, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone), and nearby soft tissues such as the lips, tongue, etc. The study of dental trauma is called dental traumatology. Traumatic dental injuries often occur as a result of an accident or sports injury. The majority of these injuries are minor - chipped teeth. It’s less common to dislodge your tooth or have it knocked completely out but these injuries are more severe. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Appropriate diagnosis and a timely response will improve outcomes when managing traumatic dental injuries
In many cases of traumatic dental injuries, the timeliness of care is key to saving the tooth. It is thus important for all dentists to have an understanding of how to diagnose and treat the most common dental injuries — and this is especially critical in the emergency phase of treatment. Proper management of dental trauma is most often a team effort, with general dentists, paediatric dentists, periodontists or oral surgeons on the front line of the emergency service, and endodontic specialists joining the effort to preserve the tooth with respect to the pulp, pulpal space and root. An informed and coordinated effort will ensure the patient receives the most effective care.