BRANCHES
South Australia
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Injuries | Date Posted: 12/1/2001
| Question
What can be done?
| Answer
Small chips broken from teeth do not normally require urgent treatment. Often your dentist will just need to smooth the rough edges, or if the chips are larger, repair them with some tooth coloured resin. Make sure you try to find all the broken bits as some pieces can be re-bonded to the tooth with excellent results.
A tooth that has more than a small piece fractured needs careful assessment. If the tooth is acutely sensitive to breathing air, this is usually a sign that the fracture is deep and needs urgent care. Once the fracture is covered by a protective layer, the sensitivity usually subsides.
Your dentist should assess loose permanent teeth. An x-ray will often be taken of the tooth to rule out the possibility that the root has been fractured. If the tooth is very loose, your dentist may need to splint the tooth to the neighbouring teeth to stabilise it while the injury heals.
Teeth that have been displaced are easiest for your dentist to reposition very soon after the injury, so it is best to seek immediate treatment.
|
More questions in this category:
Injuries Introduction
What do I do first?
What if a tooth is broken, loose or missing?
What can be done?
Will a root canal be necessary?
|
HOTLINKS
Find A Dentist
Frequently Asked Questions
Journal
Fluoride Now
Volunteers
Positions Vacant
The ADA and the Local Organising Committee invite all associated with dentistry to participate in the Australian Dental Congress and Exhibition in Perth.
Mark the dates in your diaries 12-15 March 2009
Dental Health Week is a community awareness program coordinated and funded by the ADA. In 2008 the ADA is leading a campaign to target 30-50 year olds and has developed a range of Fact Sheets on oral health care. August 4 - 10 is Dental Health Week
Click here for previous Dental Health Week material.
|
Mouthguard Awareness |
The ADA is once again conducting a Mouthguard Awareness campaign in 2008.
> Read More
On the 23rd July 2007 the ADA wrote to the major political parties seeking their policies on dental health issues. Click here to review the ADA Inc Report Card on Dental Health Policies Election 07 (PDF 122 KB)
As part of a community campaign to promote good oral health care for babies and toddlers the ADA has developed oral hygiene tips for parents and carers of young children.
> Read More
Click here for information on the ADA Awards for Excellence in Dental Journalism
|