Suffering from dental trauma can be extremely distressing – particularly if you’ve undergone a dental injury that could have been avoided. The term dental trauma refers to any harm or injuries sustained to the teeth, gums or surrounding structures of the mouth, due to external forces.
These sorts of injuries can range from minor chips and cracks to severe fractures and tooth loss, occurring in various situations. For most people, dental trauma is so much more than just the physical dental injury, it is an emotional and psychological burden that affects their confidence and quality of life.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of dental trauma and discuss the legal aspects of these injuries – particularly in relation to dental negligence claims. If you or a loved one has experienced pain or trauma due to dental negligence, understanding your rights and the next steps you can take to gain compensation are essential.
If you’d like to jump straight to opening a case, you can start your dental negligence claim here. Alternatively, you can request a callback from our team here.
What Are the Most Common Types of Dental Trauma?
Several different types of injury can be classed as dental trauma, covering a wide spectrum of physical dental injuries.
It would be impossible to list every single dental injury here, but we’ve collated some of the most common issues that can occur, although this is not a comprehensive list. If you suffer from any of the following injuries as a result of dental negligence, we may be able to help you make a claim.
Chipped or Fractured Teeth
Chipped or fractured teeth are one of the most frequent types of dental trauma that can occur, with chipped teeth being more common than fractured teeth.
These injuries can range from minor chips in your enamel to more severe tooth fractures that expose the dentin or pulp. Minor chips often only affect the aesthetic appearance of your tooth, so cosmetic dental surgery may be required to preserve the aesthetics of your smile. However, more severe tooth fractures may require professional dental treatment, as they can lead to pain, increased sensitivity and even dental infections if left untreated.
Your teeth can also become fractured as a result of dental negligence. For example, if your dentist has attempted to remove a tooth and has used too much force, it may break. If crowns and dental fillings are not fitted in the right place by your dentist, this could also have a negligent effect on your teeth, leading to further cracks and fractures.
Avulsed Teeth
An avulsed tooth is a tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket, and usually cannot be reimplanted back into its socket. In some rare cases, you may find that the tooth can be reattached (which will require urgent care from your dentist), but this is highly dependent on the amount of time that has elapsed since the injury and how the tooth was stored.
Instead, you’ll likely need to have either dentures (false teeth), dental implants or a dental bridge fitted to fix the issue – if in doubt, we recommend speaking to your dentist first.
Root Fractures
Root fractures are fractures that occur in the root of the tooth – they’re often invisible to the naked eye, which means you may require X-rays for a proper diagnosis.
Root fractures can be challenging to treat, you may have to have your tooth removed to rectify the issue, although root canal procedures can sometimes be carried out instead.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Most people tend to think of tooth damage when they think about dental trauma, but the soft tissues in the mouth can also be affected, including:
- Your gums
- Your lips
- Your tongue
- Your cheek
There are many types of soft tissue injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more severe damage that may require stitches to rectify. In some cases, these injuries can result in scarring or other long-term oral health issues, so it’s important that you speak to your dentist as soon as you notice a problem.
What Are the Main Causes of Dental Trauma?
Now that we’ve explored the most common types of dental injuries, it’s time to discover the primary causes of dental trauma. We aim to help you identify and minimise the risk factors associated with these injuries, so you can attempt to avoid them and preserve your oral health.
While it’s not always possible to prevent every situation from occurring, understanding the main causes of dental trauma can help you take more proactive steps to protect your oral health.
1. Accidents and Falls
Accidents and falls are one of the most common causes of dental trauma and can have a tremendous effect on your oral health. Statistically, they make up around 41.15% of traumatic dental injuries, showing just how dangerous accidents and falls can be!
Regardless of whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, a fall from a bicycle or a horse, or a fall from climbing a tree, these incidents can result in significant damage to your teeth and their surrounding structures. Next time you find yourself about to do something that could result in an accident or a fall, it may be worth reconsidering so you don’t hurt yourself in the process.
2. Sports Injuries
Contact sports pose a substantial risk of physical trauma, with certain activities posing a particularly high danger of brain injuries like CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and dental injuries.
Sports that can be particularly damaging include:
- Football
- Rugby
- American football
- Basketball
- Hockey
However, even some non-contact sports (e.g. gymnastics and skateboarding) can lead to dental injuries if proper protective gear is not worn. If you’re going to play these types of sports, we highly recommend you wear the appropriate protective gear.
3. Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents are another leading cause of dental trauma, with there being 132,063 casualties as a result of road accidents in the UK in 2023. The force of impact can cause people to hit their faces on the dashboard, steering wheel or other similar surfaces, which often results in broken or dislodged teeth.
4. Physical Altercations and Assaults
Another leading cause of dental trauma in the UK is physical altercations, which can include fights and assaults. Interestingly, assaults contributed to 23.35% of dental trauma injuries in 2023, coming in second behind accidents and falls.
Punches, kicks and other hits to the face can cause significant damage to the teeth and surrounding tissues, so fights should be avoided wherever possible.
5. Dental Negligence
Dental trauma may also occur as a result of dental negligence, when a dentist causes a patient harm (either physical, psychological or financial) by failing to take the proper care required by their profession.
There are many different types of dental negligence, including:
- Improper use of dental instruments
- Failure to obtain patient consent claims
- Personal injury and dental trauma
- Psychological harm
- Financial losses
If you believe your dental trauma was caused by a negligent dentist, we can help you seek legal advice and open a dental negligence claim – contact our team to find out more.
The Long-Term Consequences and Complications of Dental Trauma
Experiencing dental trauma can lead to a variety of complications which may have long-term consequences further down the line. This means that it’s extremely important to try and avoid situations in which these injuries may occur, although we understand this won’t always be possible in every situation.
Some of the most common conditions that can occur from this type of trauma later in life include:
- Chronic pain: If you encounter an injury that exposes the dentin or pulp of your tooth, it can lead to ongoing pain and discomfort, as well as extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods. This form of chronic pain can continue for a long period of time, so it’s important to get your injury looked at as soon as possible by a dentist.
- Dental infections and abscesses: Some forms of dental trauma can create holes in your teeth that allow bacteria to enter, which can lead to dental infections and abscesses forming. Infections can cause severe pain, swelling and even systemic illness (if left untreated).
- Tooth loss: There are several dental injuries that can cause tooth loss, which not only affects the appearance of your smile but can also cause difficulties with eating and speaking.
- Aesthetic issues: Another aspect of dental trauma to consider is the fact that these injuries can also have a significant impact on your appearance – particularly if your front teeth are affected. Chips, cracks and missing teeth can also affect your confidence and self-esteem, which may make you feel self-conscious about your smile.
- Psychological problems: The psychological impact of dental trauma can often be underestimated, but it should still be considered. People who experience dental injuries often report feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and depression, as the emotional toll of dental trauma can affect your social interactions and overall quality of life.
The Legal Aspects of Dental Trauma: The Dental Negligence Claims Process
If you experience dental trauma as a result of dental negligence, you may want to consider following the dental negligence claims process. Opening a dental claim can help you gain compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve faced, helping you to move on with your life.
Our team of dental negligence solicitors specialise in handling cases where patients have suffered harm due to substandard dental care, able to provide expert legal advice and represent you during court proceedings.
There are several factors you need to be aware of before opening a dental negligence case:
Understanding Dental Negligence
First, it’s important that you understand what dental negligence is before starting your claim.
Dental negligence occurs when a dental professional fails to provide the standard of care expected of them, resulting in some form of harm occurring to the patient. This harm can include misdiagnosis, improper treatment, a failure to obtain informed dental consent, financial losses, psychological distress and physical injuries.
If you believe your dental injuries and trauma were caused as a result of dental negligence, consulting with a dental negligence solicitor like the Dental Law Partnership can help you explore your legal options.
Proving Dental Negligence
To succeed in a dental negligence claim, you need to be able to prove that the dental professional you are suing breached their duty of care responsibilities. You also need to prove that this breach in care directly caused you an injury or another form of harm.
This process may sound overwhelming at first, but it’s something that our team of experts can help you with. We’ll usually need to gather several key pieces of evidence to prove dental negligence occurred, such as:
- Dental records
- Expert opinions
- Witness statements
Our expert team can guide you through this process and help you build a strong case, so there should be nothing to worry about.
Gaining Compensation for Trauma
If your dental trauma was caused by a negligent dentist, you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation can cover various damages, including the following factors:
- Medical and dental expenses
- Lost wages
- Compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve undergone
- The cost of future dental treatment
The amount of compensation you can claim will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injury and the impact it’s had on your life. We can’t advise on the exact sum you’ll receive, but our Client Stories page may be useful in showing you what claimants with similar cases have received.
Claim Time Limits
You also need to be aware that there are time limits for filing a dental negligence claim. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury or the date you became aware of the negligence to file a claim. However, there are exceptions to this rule (particularly if the claimant is under 18 or has mental health issues), so we advise you to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of Dental Trauma Occurring?
It’s important to attempt to reduce the risk of dental trauma occurring, although naturally, this won’t be possible in every situation. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the possibility of a dental injury occurring:
- Wear protective gear: One of the most effective ways to prevent dental trauma is to wear protective gear during sports and other high-risk activities (such as custom-fitted mouthguards and helmets).
- Practice good oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene habits can help keep your teeth strong and make them less susceptible to injury. Regular brushing and flossing should be conducted, as well as consistent dental check-ups.
- Avoid risky behaviours: Avoiding risky behaviours, such as chewing on hard objects or engaging in physical fights and altercations can also reduce the risk of dental trauma.
- Seek prompt treatment: If you do experience a dental injury, you should seek out prompt treatment ASAP, as early intervention can prevent further damage and improve the chances of a successful outcome.
Seeking Justice for Dental Negligence
Dental trauma is a serious issue that can have lasting physical, emotional, financial and psychological effects on a person. Gaining insight into the cause of your injury is an essential part of comprehending the different types of dental trauma and their underlying causes.
If you or a loved one has experienced trauma due to dental negligence, it is crucial that you seek out legal advice to explore your options for compensation.
Our team of dental negligence solicitors can help you navigate the complex legal process, gather the necessary evidence and fight for the compensation you deserve during your case.
If you’d like to see how we can help you with your claim, please contact our expert team on 0800 152 2034.