When most people think about injuries from car accidents, they may imagine concussions, broken bones and spinal cord injuries. While those types of injuries are certainly possible, there are other injuries to think about. Dental injuries, for example, are more common than you think and may seriously damage your mouth. Here is an overview of dental injuries in car accidents:
Why Dental Injuries Occur During Car Accidents
Victims of car accidents are susceptible to a wide variety of injuries. If you hit your mouth with the dashboard, steering wheel, seats and broken glass, you may cause damage to your teeth.
Types of Dental Injuries in Car Accidents
Knocked Out Teeth
If your mouth is hit very hard during a car accident, it is possible for an entire tooth to get knocked out of its socket. If this happens, you should carefully pick your tooth up by the crown and put it in a glass filled with your saliva or milk as soon as possible. This will prevent the tooth from drying out. Then, you should see a dentist immediately. It’s possible for the dentist to put the tooth back in its socket if you get there within a couple of hours. Otherwise, the tooth will be no good and you will need to replace it with an artificial one.
Cracked Teeth
A car accident can also result in a crack or chip in your chip. While this may seem fairly minor, it is still painful and can cause further damage to your teeth if not take care of promptly. The treatment your dentist chooses will depend on how deep the crack is. If the crack is pretty small, a bonding procedure might be all that is needed. If the crack goes through the dentin of the tooth, a root canal may be necessary. After a root canal, you will need to put a crown over the tooth to keep it strong.
Loose Teeth
In a car accident, it’s also possible for a tooth to loosen, but not fall completely out. A loose tooth can be moved sideways, backward and forward. If you see a dentist, like a San Clemente, CA dentist, as soon as possible, he or she may be able to the tooth back in its original position.
Getting Compensation
If you suffered dental injuries in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. If the lawyer believes you have a strong case, he or she can help you gather evidence, talk to the insurance companies and represent you in court. With your lawyer’s help, you may be able to receive compensation for your dental bills that resulted from the car accident.
Schedule a free consultation with a reputable personal injury lawyer today to get your case moving in the right direction.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from John Redmond Orthodontics for their insight into common dental injuries in car accidents.