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Dental Trauma

Our dental trauma care treats injuries to the teeth, mouth, and jaw caused by falls, sports, car accidents, or other impacts. Quick action can make the difference between saving a tooth and losing it.

Injuries may include chipped or fractured teeth, displaced or knocked-out teeth, and cuts to the lips or tongue. Even if nothing looks broken, damage below the surface can affect the nerve or root.

We’ll examine the area, take X-rays, and stabilize or repair what’s damaged. Follow-up visits help us monitor healing and catch delayed problems early.

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Dental assistant in pink gloves holding an orthodontic retainer model, with a young patient reclining in a treatment chair in the background, at a Rancho Mirage dental office

Common Causes of Dental Trauma

Damage to the teeth and mouth can happen in many situations, such as the following.

  • Car accidents
  • Workplace accidents
  • Slips and falls
  • Sports injuries
  • Physical violence

If you’re hurt, seek professional help right away. Prompt treatment can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. At Desert Pearl Dentistry, we’re ready to restore the function and appearance of the affected tooth and surrounding area.

Untreated Dental Damage Costs the U.S. Billions Each Year

What to Know About Cost Before You Wait on Treatment

Putting off care for a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth often costs more later, since a simple repair can turn into a root canal or extraction if the injury is left alone. Getting treated now does not have to strain your budget. Desert Pearl Dentistry accepts most major PPO insurance plans and offers financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Proceed Finance for costs insurance does not cover.

“$45 billion in US productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.”

CDC, Division of Oral Health, Oral Health Facts

Delayed Treatment Often Leads to Nerve Damage

What Waiting Can Mean for Your Tooth’s Health

A fractured or injured tooth that does not get treated quickly is at high risk of losing its nerve, which can lead to infection and pain. Getting help does not mean invasive treatment right away. Desert Pearl Dentistry works to save the natural tooth first, offering reattachment or restoration once any tooth fragments have been recovered and brought in. Acting quickly gives your tooth the best chance to heal.

“Pulp necrosis (PN) was the most common complication (90.24%).”

National Library of Medicine, Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Findings among Patients with Traumatic Dental Injuries Seeking Delayed Treatment

Millions of Teeth Are Knocked Out Every Year

What to Know About Timing Before You Wait

A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved within a short window of time, and every minute that passes lowers those odds. This does not mean you need to panic or handle it alone. If a tooth is knocked out or feels loose after an injury, call Desert Pearl Dentistry right away, and our team will walk you through what to do next while you get to the office.

“More than 5 million teeth are knocked out each year”

American Association of Endodontists , American Association of Endodontists: New Survey Finds People Don’t Know What to Do to Save a Knocked-Out Tooth

Sports Injuries

Many sports involve high-velocity impacts with players or equipment (think sticks, balls, etc.). To reduce the risk of dental injuries, wearing a mouthguard is highly recommended. Mouthguards protect your teeth, gums, jaw, and tongue. If you participate in contact sports, contact us to schedule a mouthguard fitting to help prevent injury.

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Woman smiling at her reflection in a small hand mirror after a dental visit in Rancho Mirage, CA

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped or broken teeth are the most common types of dental injuries. If this happens, Desert Pearl Dentistry recommends you call us immediately! The sooner you seek treatment (ideally within 12 hours of injury), the better the results. Try to recover as many pieces of the tooth as you can and bring them with you. We’ll attempt to reattach the pieces, and if that’s not possible, we’ll provide options to restore your tooth.

Man smiling during a dental exam as a dentist checks his teeth with a mirror and scaler

Avulsed (Knocked Out) Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a serious type of dental trauma that needs fast action. If your tooth has been knocked out, follow these steps:

  • Locate the tooth and rinse it gently with water. Be careful not to touch the root.
  • Reposition the tooth: If possible, try placing the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place with your finger or gently bite down on a piece of gauze or a teabag.
  • If you can’t place the tooth back, keep it in your mouth between your cheek and tongue, or place it in a plastic bag with cold milk or your saliva. DO NOT use tap water, as this can damage the root.
  • Get to our office quickly: Ideally, we want to see you within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury. The quicker you act, the higher the chances of saving the tooth!

This advice applies to both loose and knocked-out teeth. If a tooth is loose, immediate action can often save it!

Protect Your Smile After an Accident With Our Dental Trauma Care

Our dental trauma care is ready to help when an injury strikes. We’ll act quickly to relieve pain and save as much of your natural smile as possible. Call Desert Pearl Dentistry right away.

For urgent care, contact us immediately with any concerns, and we’ll guide you through the process!

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Contact Info

72000 Magnesia Falls Dr Suite 1
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Phone: 760-568-0130

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs:
–
Fri - Sun:
Closed

Special Offer

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