Dental injuries and dental trauma can range from minor tooth chips to severe pain and trauma requiring extensive treatment. Whether your ailment has been caused by an accident, a sports injury or dental negligence, these injuries may lead to problems like long-term pain, and costly repairs, which may be unaffordable for some people.
This means that understanding the different types of dental injuries and the consequences they can potentially have on your physical and mental health is essential – particularly if you’re considering pursuing legal action for dental negligence.
In this guide, we’ll look at the most common types of dental injuries, going over their main causes, symptoms and the treatments available for these oral health issues.
If you’ve suffered from a dental injury and you believe it occurred because of a dentist’s mistake, you may be able to pursue a dental claim against your dentist. To learn more about how we can help you and start your claim, please contact our dedicated team today.
What Are the Most Common Dental Injuries?
Dental injuries can happen suddenly, regardless of whether they occur from sports accidents, falls or biting into something hard that damages your teeth. While some issues may be minor, other problems such as jaw fractures will require urgent dental care immediately to prevent long-term complications from developing.
Understanding how these dental injuries occur and how harmful they can be may help you take the right steps for treatment and recovery.
1. Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Chipped or fractured teeth are extremely prevalent. These issues occur when part of the surface enamel and perhaps the underlying dentine breaks off a tooth, which can often leave the affected area feeling sensitive or sharp. Smaller chips may not cause immediate pain and trauma, but deeper tooth fractures can be more serious, exposing nerves and leading to increased discomfort and a higher risk of infection.
The main causes of chipped/fractured teeth are:
- Biting down on hard foods
- Facial trauma stemming from accidents or sports injuries
- Pre-existing tooth decay, which can weaken the overall tooth structure
Some of these injuries can occur as a result of dental negligence – particularly if your dentist uses too much force during a tooth extraction. Teeth can also fracture if your dentist places crowns and fillings in the wrong place, weakening the tooth structure and making it more prone to future fractures.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Minor chips may be repaired with cosmetic bonding or veneers, although more extensive fractures may require dental crowns. If the crack is severe and reaches the pulp, a root canal may be required to reduce the risk of infection.
2. Dental Avulsion
Dental avulsion is another term for a knocked-out tooth. It’s classed as a severe dental emergency – particularly if the tooth is completely dislodged from its socket. It may be possible to reimplant the tooth within the gum, and you should consult a dentist immediately to find out what your next steps should be.
Common causes of tooth avulsion include:
- Physical accidents and falls
- Sports-related injuries
- Fights, assault and blunt-force trauma
- Car and cycling accidents
What Are My Treatment Options?
In some cases, your dentist may be able to reattach the tooth. If reimplantation is not possible, a dental implant, dental bridge or a set of dentures may be required instead.
3. Cracked or Split Teeth
Tooth cracks can range from superficial craze lines (small cracks in the enamel) to vertical root fractures, which are severe enough to compromise the entire tooth. These injuries can worsen over time and may lead to infection or complete tooth loss, so it’s important to get them investigated by a dental professional as soon as possible.
Common signs of cracked or split teeth include:
- Visible cracks in the enamel
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling around the affected tooth
What Are My Treatment Options?
If the crack is severe, tooth extraction may be the only option. However, minor cracks can be treated with cosmetic dental bonding or veneer procedures, whilst deeper fractures may require crowns or root canals, always consult your dentist for advice in the first instance
4. Root Fractures
A root fracture is a breakage that occurs beneath the gum line, which often makes it hard to detect. Unlike surface cracks, root fractures can have severe consequences on your oral health, leading to infection or instability over time.
The main causes of root fractures are:
- A direct impact to the jaw (e.g. an assault or a fall)
- Weakened teeth due to previous dental work or dental negligence
- Chronic teeth grinding (also known as bruxism)
What Are My Treatment Options?
Root fractures are often much more serious than fractures in the visible part of the tooth, which means they often require you to have your tooth pulled out – especially if the crack extends below the gum line. However, a root canal may save the tooth in some situations.
5. Tooth Luxation
Tooth luxation is the r term used when a tooth is displaced from its socket. It usually occurs when a tooth is loosened or displaced due to trauma. However, the tooth may remain in the socket, instead of falling out. Luxation can eventually lead to dental nerve damage or issues with your blood supply, which may cause the tooth to darken in colour over time.
There are three main types of tooth luxation:
- Extrusive luxation: This is when the tooth is partially pulled out of its socket.
- Lateral luxation: With lateral luxation, the tooth is instead pushed sideways, often causing further damage to the supporting bone.
- Intrusive luxation: Intrusive luxation occurs when the tooth is driven deeper into the gum tissue.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Tooth luxation injuries can be serious, so extraction may be required if the tooth cannot be saved. However, depending on the extent of the damage, your dentist may be able to rectify the issue by splinting the tooth to adjacent teeth or by providing root canal treatment.
6. Soft Tissue Damage
When most people think of dental injuries, they think of conditions that affect their teeth. However, damage can also be done to the soft tissues in your mouth, including the lips, gums and tongue, as well as the surrounding areas of the skin. You may notice bleeding, swelling and dental abscesses in the affected area – some people may also have issues with speaking or eating.
Soft tissue damage may arise from several causes:
- Accidental bites whilst eating
- Falls and accidents
- Assault and attacks
- Trauma from dental tools during a procedure
If you believe your dentist caused soft tissue damage by behaving negligently during surgery, you may be able to sue your dentist – find out more about the dental negligence claims process here.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Minor soft tissue injuries will usually heal on their own, but deeper cuts and lacerations to the skin of the face in particular may require stitches – it’s best to speak to your dentist first to see what they advise. If you suspect your injury has been caused by negligent dental treatment (for example, through improper tool use or a failure to diagnose the proper oral condition), legal action may be an option.
You can also make an official complaint to your dental practice, but this is not necessary to start a dental negligence claim.
7. Nerve Damage Injuries
Several different types of nerve damage injuries can occur, including tooth nerve damage (where the nerves inside the tooth are damaged), as well as the nerves that run through the face:
- The lingual nerve (part of the trigeminal nerve)
- The alveolar nerve (part of the trigeminal nerve)
- The facial nerve
Sometimes, you may encounter nerve damage after dental work – although rare tooth extractions, dental implant procedures and root canal treatments can result in these injuries if your dentist behaves negligently whilst carrying out the procedure.
Common nerve damage symptoms include:
- Numbness and tingling in the affected area (often the lips, tongue or cheeks)
- A sharp shooting pain in the jaw or mouth, as well as a ‘pins and needles’ sensation
- A loss of sensation in the area
- Issues with eating and speaking
What Are My Treatment Options?
There are several treatment options for nerve damage, usually depending on the extent of the injury. You may be prescribed medication or given physical therapy, although sometimes surgical intervention may be required. If nerve damage is a direct result of a dentist’s negligence, you may also be able to bring a dental negligence claim for compensation.
8. Dental Concussions (Tooth Bruising)
A dental concussion is a term used to refer to situations in which a tooth sustains some trauma without becoming loose, cracked or displaced, sometimes described as ‘tooth bruising’. However, instead of fracturing, the impact of the injury is instead absorbed by the underlying tooth structure, which can cause damage to its nerves and blood vessels.
Some of the main signs and symptoms of a dental concussion are:
- Teeth that are tender or sensitive to pressure
- A slightly darkened or discoloured tooth (due to internal bleeding, hence the name tooth bruising)
- Swelling of the surrounding gums
- A delayed response to temperature changes
What Are My Treatment Options?
Unlike a tooth intrusion, your tooth remains in place with a dental concussion, meaning that your initial treatment will usually involve monitoring the tooth’s health. If your symptoms get worse or there’s a chance you may be at risk of a dental infection, a root canal may be recommended by your dentist.
9. Dental Subluxation
Dental subluxation is a term that refers to a loose or wobbly tooth that has not become completely displaced from your mouth. Instead, the tooth in question is still in its socket, but there might be minor damage to the surrounding ligaments.
Tooth subluxation is usually caused by the following issues:
- Sports injuries, falls or accidents
- Facial trauma
- Assault and violence
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
You’ll likely notice that you have a dental subluxation, as your tooth will move slightly when putting pressure on it – you might also notice some minor bleeding around the gumline area.
What Are My Treatment Options?
If you have a mild subluxation injury, your tooth will often heal on its own. However, more severe cases may require splinting, which stabilises the tooth with support from its adjacent teeth. If you want to check the status of your subluxated tooth, we recommend attending your regular dental checkups, as this will enable your dentist to assess the damage in full.
10. Jaw Fractures and Dislocations
Jaw fractures and jaw dislocations can severely impact your oral health, affecting things like your teeth alignment, bite function and overall dental health. These injuries can be extremely painful and require urgent medical care, so you should go straight to A&E if you suspect you have a jaw fracture or a dislocated jaw.
The main causes of jaw fractures and dislocations are:
- Car accidents
- Falls from great heights
- Assault, fighting or direct blows to the face
- Sports-related impacts
- Dental negligence
Dental negligence-based jaw fractures can occur during tooth extractions – often when your dentist has not taken the proper precautions during the procedure, exerting too much force when attempting to remove the tooth. Your dentist should immediately stop work and advise you to visit the A&E department of your local hospital. If they carry on working on your teeth, this is an indication that dental negligence has occurred.
What Are My Treatment Options?
The treatment offered will depend on the extent of your fracture – mild jaw fractures may be treated with a temporary soft diet and pain management medication. On the other hand, severe fracture cases may require surgery or even wiring the jaw shut for proper healing.
11. Broken or Damaged Dental Restorations
Another dental issue that is often linked to dental negligence is dental injuries that occur during restorative treatment, for example during tooth fillings, crowns and dental bridge provision.
If these procedures haven’t been carried out properly, the materials can break or become loose, exposing the tooth to bacteria and increasing the risk of tooth decay and dental infections. Of course, it’s important to point out that not every single broken dental restoration will be the fault of your dentist, as these dental materials will be subject to natural wear and tear over time. However, if your dentist has behaved negligently, you may be able to open a dental negligence claim against them.
The symptoms of a broken restoration may differ depending on the part that’s broken, but they’ll usually include these signs:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- A sharp or rough edge where the restoration has broken
- Pain when chewing and speaking
- Visible cracks or missing portions of the crown, bridge or cavity filling
What Are My Treatment Options?
Your treatment options will be dependent on the material that has broken (as well as the severity of the damage), but you’ll usually need to have the broken restoration replaced or repaired. You may also require a new custom-fitted dental crown or bridge. If your dentist finds that the underlying section of the tooth has become infected, you may need to have a root canal treatment conducted.
12. Post-Treatment Complications
Some dental injuries can occur after treatment due to improper healing, infections, or negligent surgical errors. The most common post-treatment complications are dry socket, infections and failed root canals, but other issues may also occur.
Common post-treatment complications include:
- Dry socket: Dry socket occurs when a blood clot either fails to form or is dislodged after a tooth extraction, exposing the bone and nerves.
- Infections: The signs of infection often result from improper tool sterilisation, poor post-operative care, or unremoved infected tissue, which may indicate negligence.
- Failed root canal treatment: If a root canal is improperly performed, bacteria can remain inside the tooth, leading to persistent pain and recurring infections.
However, several other dental issues can arise as a result of poorly conducted dental treatments. If you’ve suffered from post-treatment complications and you suspect dental negligence is the cause, you may be able to open a case against your dentist.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Your treatment options will depend largely on the post-operative complications you’ve encountered, as dry socket will be treated differently to a failed root canal. Common treatment options include antibiotics (for infections), as well as additional surgeries and corrective treatments.
If your post-treatment complications have arisen as a result of dental negligence (for example, if the wrong tooth has been extracted), you may be eligible to claim compensation back from your dentist during a dental negligence claim.
Seeking Legal Help for Dental Injuries
As we’ve seen above, there are many different dental injuries that can occur, with each one varying in terms of severity. Regardless of the extent of your injury, these conditions can affect your oral function and overall dental health. It’s important to seek out help as soon as you realise something has gone wrong, before exploring your recovery options.
Some injuries may be unavoidable accidents, whereas others may result from dental negligence and poorly performed dental procedures, which means you may be able to open a dental claim with our team to receive adequate compensation for the suffering you’ve been through.
Our expert clinical team is made up of both dentists and specialist dental solicitors, giving us the expertise needed to handle all aspects of your claim.
If you’d like to see how we can help you claim compensation from your dentist, we’ll be happy to help – please contact us on 0800 152 2044 or request a callback here.