A hard blow to the face from a sports injury or a hard fall can sometimes carry enough force to damage your lip, cheek, or gums. In a severe case the oral trauma could knock a tooth completely out of the socket or cause it to fracture at the gumline.
If the damage is too extensive to be treated by a root canal, Dr. Mark Andrews might recommend extracting whatever remains of the tooth from the socket. Once this is done he will suture your gums and prescribe some pain management medication. This will help you remain comfortable while the periodontal tissues knit together.
When you’re ready, our team can help you understand your dental restoration options. One effective method is to install a dental bridge over the void left by the knocked out tooth.
This type of dental work is essentially two crowns fused together with a solid artificial tooth in the middle that mimics the knocked-out tooth. It is mounted on a pair of abutments formed by the two closest neighboring teeth.
Dr. Mark Andrews will then prepare an impression of the area. It will be sent to a professional dental lab to guide dental technicians in creating your dental bridge.
When it’s ready, you will need to come in for the second appointment to install your dental bridge. This is a relatively brief session where the temporary crowns are removed and Dr. Mark Andrews cements the dental bridge directly onto the abutments.
If you live in the Kirkland, Washington, area and you have suffered a severe oral trauma you should call 425-821-8100 to seek emergency treatment at Mark Andrews, D.D.S.1.