Traumatic Dental Injuries

Patient Education

J.M.

Dr. Leach did a magnificent job on my teeth. He did some bonding to fill in some spaces and my teeth look just perfect. I am completely happy with the great job he did! He also did the work with no discomfort whatsoever and without even numbing. I was very comfortable the whole time.

J.M.

Katie W.

Dear Dr. Leach,  I just wanted to tell you thank you for my beautiful veneers! I love them and get compliments on them all the time. Thank you again!

Katie W.

Stephanie R.

Today I have a smile I am confident in. I chose Bioclear because it does not damage the teeth and it can be done in one appointment. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Leach and his staff. He listened to me and customized the treatment to my liking.

Stephanie R.

C.R.

Wow, my dental appointments were actually looked at as a pleasant experience, since Dr. Leach and his staff are so capable and sincere – and there was no discomfort as one usually expects.

C.R.

K.S.

Dr. Leach and his staff accommodated me on short notice to help fix my chipped tooth. The tooth looks GREAT! Dr. Leach uses the latest techniques in dentistry and I am extremely happy to call him my dentist.

K.S.

K.H.

My family and I have been a client of Dr. Steven Leach for 13 years. He has been a very positive influence concerning oral health. After consulting with Dr. Leach concerning a very crooked front tooth, he advised me and we came to the conclusion that we need to crown the teeth. His staff was encouraging, very kind and helpful with the decisions that needed to be made. Dr. Leach took great care to make sure that everything went according to plan. When it was time to fit the new teeth he was meticulous and the outcome was beyond my wildest hopes. For the first time I had a smile that I could really be proud of. Dr. Leach’s expertise, his excellent staff, and the lab made what could have been a harrowing experience a very enjoyable one.
Thank you Dr. Leach, “She said with a smile”!

K.H.

Traci S.

Thank you for everything leading up to and the day of my visit for Bioclear. I’m so happy with the results from the procedure and I appreciate all of the information everyone provided during the process. Thanks so much to you, Dr. Leach, for investing your time and talents in making this procedure available in our state. I’m very grateful for all of the kindness and care everyone gave to me. The office visits, phone conversations, and really all of my interactions with your office were very positive and put me at ease. Thank you so much for all that you all do!

Traci S.

D.D.

After recent orthodontic treatment I ended up with black triangles between my lower front teeth. After doing some research online, I found out that Dr. Leach was a certified Bioclear Doctor. I drove 7 hours to have him treat my lower black triangles. I am beyond happy with the job he did! So worth the trip! Thank you so much for the beautiful outcome and the stress free and pain free experience!

D.D.

P.K.

Thank you all for your great service, kind care, and sweet attitudes. I love being your patient, blessings!

P.K.

Traumatic dental injuries happen. And the really don’t discriminate. They impact people of all ages and all levels of activity. An auto accident, a collision on the court or field, even a simple fall can cause a significant dental injury.

The main goal of the team at Steven Leach Dental is treating dental injuries in a way that minimizes tooth loss and restores oral health to full functionality and appearance. And in treating dental injury, the biggest difference maker is speedy treatment.

Below are some tips on how to prevent dental injuries, and what to do if you experience one.

Basketball Injury

Sports-Related Dental Injuries

It pretty much goes without saying (but we will anyway): sports are pretty popular.According to a recent study, High School sports participation has been on the rise for the last 25 years. And with that participation comes the risk of injury.

A significant percentage of sports injuries are dental in nature. Yet many of those injuries are entirely preventable. A quality mouth guard can help protect against a wide variety of dental injuries. And when you compare the cost a decent mouthguard to the estimate $20,000 it costs over the lifetime of a replaced tooth, the mouthguard is one of the simplest and most economical investments you can make. Some studies have shown that a good mouthguard reduces the risk of a sports-related dental injury by a factor of 60!

Steven Leach Dental can offer you the best in mouthguard technology. In the office, Dr. Leach’s team can custom fit the guard to your teeth. It’s a strong, light, durable device that will fit your teeth like a glove. Ask Dr. Leach about a mouthguard if you or your children are active in sports.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped ToothAccording to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth are the most common kind of dental injury. A chipped or fractured tooth, or one that is loose or tender to the touch should be seen by a dentist within 12 hours. Contact Steven Leach Dental as soon as possible if you’ve chipped a tooth!

If possible, try to find as many pieces of the tooth that have come off. Dr. Leach’s team may be able to reattach them to as they repair the tooth.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Knocked Out ToothWhen a permanent tooth has been avulsed (knocked out) you should seek immediate care.

The first order of business is to recover the tooth. If it’s dirty, clean it with water Avoid touching the root.

Then, if possible, place the tooth back into the socket, making sure to orient it correctly. Apply stedy, gently pressure for five minutes, using wet tissue or gause to hold the tooth in place.

Emergency dental treatment is imperative at this point.

Partially Displaced Teeth

If teeth are driven into or pushed partially out of the jaw, or if they are out of alignment, the patient should see a dentist or oral surgeon within six hours of the accident. A careful examination of the mouth (plus x-rays if needed) should reveal the extent of the damage, and indicate what restorative treatments are likely to be required.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

In addition to the teeth, dental injuries often involve damage to the gums, the tongue, and the inside of the mouth. When these soft-tissue injuries occur, it’s best to take the following immediate actions, and then see a dentist as soon as possible: Wash and rinse the area with soap and water if possible, or remove debris and foreign material by hand. Bleeding can usually be controlled by applying direct, gentle pressure to gauze pads placed on the wound. If it can’t be controlled after about 10 minutes, go to an emergency room.

Don’t hesitate to call the dental office for more specific information about handling a traumatic dental injury.