What Treatments Are Available for Dental Injury Treatment for Children?

If your child experiences a dental injury, schedule a pediatric dentistry appointment as soon as possible. Even minor issues can progress into serious problems, whether they affect baby teeth or permanent teeth. Dental injuries are relatively common among children, especially those who are active or prone to tooth decay. If left untreated, these injuries can cause complications, such as:

• Oral pain.
• Increased risk for tooth decay.
• Potential infection.
• Weakened tooth structure.
• Tooth loss.
• Alignment issues.
• Speech and digestive problems.

If your child experiences a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth, prompt evaluation and care are essential. Fortunately, there are several ways a dentist can repair or replace a child's damaged tooth.

Common treatments for dental injuries in children

While many options exist for dealing with dental injuries, a dentist will make recommendations based on your child's age, the location of the affected tooth, the extent of the damage, and your child's ability to tolerate and care for dental work. Many times, a secure but temporary solution may be required until your child's mouth is more developed or they are able to handle more invasive procedures.

Dental crowns

When it comes to a severely cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, a dental crown can be a simple and straightforward solution that lasts for many years. These are often used to treat molars and teeth toward the back of the mouth. To place a crown, the dentist will start by removing all decayed material and reshaping what is left of the natural tooth. A prosthetic tooth is then permanently mounted in place, giving your child the ability to bite, chew, and speak normally as before.

Dental crowns can be made of metal or porcelain. While metal can be a bit more unsightly, it is often the material of choice for pediatric dentistry patients because it is much more durable. For older children, a porcelain crown can be used. While the preparation process is irreversible, dental crowns can be replaced with new tooth coverings, so a child can switch from a metal to a porcelain option once they are ready if needed.

Partial dentures

When a baby tooth is prematurely knocked out or damaged beyond repair, it must be replaced with some type of prosthetic tooth. Otherwise, severe alignment and tooth development issues can occur long-term. Premature tooth loss can also inhibit speech development and healthy digestion. In these situations, the dentist can fit your child for a custom partial denture or spacer. These can usually be removed for cleaning and are a temporary solution until the permanent tooth below starts to come in.

Dental bonding

Mild chips and cracks in a tooth may not seem like more than a cosmetic issue, but these flaws in the tooth enamel can make it easier for decay and infection to occur. They can usually be repaired with dental bonding. The dentist will use a composite resin material to fill the gaps or reconstruct the chipped area, protecting the tooth from bacteria, sensitivity, and more damage.