Orthodontic Care For Accident Injuries

Accidents can result in dental damages and severe mouth injuries. Whether you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, a slip and fall accident, a sports injury, a violent attack, or by a defective product, the long-term health of your teeth could be at risk. If the alignment of your teeth has been affected by any type of personal injury, or if as a result of the injury a dentist told you that you need orthodontic care, it is essential that you visit an orthodontist as soon as possible.  

While most everyone wants straight teeth and an attractive smile, keeping your teeth in order is also important to your overall health. Damaged teeth can deteriorate further and cause infections. Visiting the orthodontist after suffering a mouth injury may also be necessary if you want to protect your legal rights. If your dental damage is from an accident-related injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your orthodontic bills, pain, and suffering. However, you will likely need valid medical documentation from an orthodontist to prove the extent of your injuries if you are to receive an award for personal injury damages.

Common Types of Dental Injuries

The human mouth is complicated, and dental injuries occur in a variety of different ways. Some of the typical injuries that occur in accidents include:

Broken tooth: A tooth may be broken, partially chipped, fractured, or simply loosened. In this situation, your orthodontist may be able to repair or stabilize the tooth, preventing the need for tooth replacement. Although this is not possible in all cases, quick assistance from a qualified dental care professional will dramatically increase your odds of saving the tooth.

Lost tooth: When a tooth has been completely knocked out, it is known as an avulsed tooth. This can be an incredibly painful injury which often requires emergency medical attention. The missing tooth may be reimplanted if you can recover it, However, if more than a few hours have already passed, reimplantation may no longer be possible, and you may need a replacement tooth.

Damaged root: Sometimes, accident victims suffer mouth damage that is not visible to the naked eye. While you can easily notice a missing or broken tooth, root damage is not always apparent. However, fixing root damage is essential. Damaged dental roots can often be excruciatingly painful. Additionally, a damaged root will eventually lead to the death of the attached tooth. Or, if left untreated, the damaged root could cause a painful and possibly life-threatening infection that could spread to other teeth and areas of the mouth.

If you are worried about the impact of the accident-related injury to your bite or the spacing of your teeth, it is a good idea to see an orthodontist in Orange County, CA from John Redmond Orthodontics who can properly assess what needs to be done and perform the necessary corrections and/or repairs for your dental needs.