Sports are healthy, fulfilling, and a great way to develop a wide variety of skills. But they can also be physical intense. Contact sports, like football, mean that you’re frequently coming into hard contact with other athletes, and even non-contact sports can put you at risk of blunt trauma to the face if a ball, bat, club, or other item comes your way.
One injury that is unfortunately very common in athletes playing sports are known as “Tooth Root Fractures.” These are dental emergencies, where at least one tooth is hit so hard that it causes a fracture that damages the root of the tooth. This type of injury is not only painful – it can require extraction (removing the tooth) if the issue isn’t addressed quickly enough.
Identifying the Signs of Tooth Root Fractures
Tooth root fractures are not the same thing as your tooth being “knocked out.” When your tooth is knocked out, most athletes and staff know to immediately call an emergency dentist in Porterville to try to save the tooth. While not all teeth can be saved, a knocked out tooth that is in good condition and gets to a dentist fast enough may be able to be placed right back into the socked.
With a tooth root fracture, the tooth is not knocked out. Instead, a fracture (a crack or chip) is formed in tooth, which reaches all the way down to the root (an area that refers to the pulp, dentin, and cementum). There are two types of fractures:
- Vertical Root Fractures – These refer to fractures that begin at the root of the tooth and extend vertically towards the top of the chewing surface.
- Horizontal Root Fractures – Horizontal root fractures occur vertically, at different points near the root of the tooth. These fractures occur horizontally, and almost look as though the tooth is cut into two pieces.
Both types of root fractures can be dangerous for your tooth. In fact, some root fractures are *more* dangerous than even a knocked out tooth. That is because these fractures are not always visible to the naked eye. Some athletes wait too long before they get dental care, not knowing they have a facture, and the longer you wait the more likely the tooth will need to be removed – especially in the case of vertical fractures.
Signs of Tooth Root Fractures
Tooth root fractures may not cause any immediate or urgent pain. The most likely sign of a fracture is pain while chewing, If there is an infection, there may be a boil that forms at the infection site. Some cracks may also be visible, but many can only be seen with a dental x-ray.
Treatment and Prevention for Tooth Root Fractures
The approach to treatment for one of these fractures depends on the location, the extend of the damage, and more. Tooth extraction may be necessary, especially in the cases of vertical root fractures. Others can be saved with endodontic surgery or tooth stabilization.
But, rather than treat a tooth root fracture, the best thing for athletes to do is prevent them. Dr. Hardt here in Porterville can create custom mouthguards for athletes that want to prevent both these factures and knocked out teeth. Our custom mouthguards are built for your mouth, so they’re very comfortable to wear, and they protect against the types of trauma that may occur in contact sports. Learn more or contact. Dr. Hardt’s office today to get started. 559-784-6523
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