Dental trauma refers to trauma (injury) to the teeth and/or periodontium (gums, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone), and nearby soft tissues such as the lips, tongue, etc. The study of dental trauma is called dental traumatology. The majority of dental trauma is tooth (crown) fracture, tooth avulsion, or tooth subluxation.
A tooth may be forced laterally, out of, or into its socket during an accident. A tooth will be repositioned and stabilized by your endodontist or general dentist. Permanent teeth that have become displaced usually require root canal treatment which should begin several days after the trauma.
