The Reality of Car Accidents in Glendale
Why the Emergency Room Cannot Fix Your Teeth
The Limitations of the ER
- No Dental Equipment: ERs do not have dental chairs, drills, composite bonding materials, or the specialized X-ray machines needed to see tooth roots.
- No Specialized Training: An ER doctor is an expert in general trauma, but they are not trained in restorative dentistry. They cannot perform a root canal, re-cement a crown, or bond a fractured tooth.
- Pain Management Only: The most an ER can usually do for a dental injury is prescribe antibiotics and painkillers. They will then discharge you with instructions to “see a dentist.”
Common Dental Injuries From Car Accidents
1. Fractured or Chipped Teeth
- The Symptoms: You may feel a sharp edge with your tongue, see a piece of tooth missing, or feel sensitivity to air.
- The Urgency: If the fracture exposes the pulp (the nerve center of the tooth), it is a dental emergency. Bacteria can enter the nerve within hours, leading to infection.
2. Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Teeth
- The Golden Hour: As discussed in our other resources, a knocked-out tooth has a survival window of about 60 minutes. If you are stuck at the accident scene or the ER for hours, the tooth may die.
- Action Plan: If possible, keep the tooth moist (in milk or saliva) and get to us as soon as you are medically cleared to leave the scene.
3. Luxated (Dislodged) Teeth
- The Consequence: This damages the ligaments holding the tooth and can sever the nerve and blood supply.
- The Fix: A dentist needs to gently reposition the tooth and splint it to its neighbors to allow the bone and ligaments to heal.
4. Root Fractures
- The Danger: You might not see anything wrong in the mirror, but the tooth may feel loose or painful when you bite. Without an X-ray, this injury goes undiagnosed until an infection forms weeks or months later.
5. Soft Tissue Injuries
6. TMJ Trauma (Jaw Joint Injury)
- Long-Term Risk: Many accident victims develop chronic jaw pain, clicking, or locking (TMJ disorder) months after the crash if this is not assessed early.
The Hidden Danger: Adrenaline Masks Pain
Steps to Take Immediately After the Accident
1. Assess for Life-Threatening Injuries
2. Check Your Mouth
- Are any loose?
- Are any missing?
- Is your bite aligning correctly?
- Are you bleeding from the mouth?
3. Locate Tooth Fragments
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4. Visit the ER (If Needed)
5. Call Infinite Dental Wellness
6. Document Everything
- Take photos of your mouth and teeth immediately.
- Keep records of all symptoms.
- Do not sign any settlement offers from auto insurance companies until you have had a full dental evaluation. If you settle now, you might be signing away your right to have future dental reconstruction paid for.
Navigating Insurance: Medical vs. Dental
Why This Matters
Treatment Options for Crash-Related Injuries
Stabilization
Root Canal Therapy
Dental Bonding and Veneers
Crowns
The Importance of a Full Dental Exam
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness?
- Trauma Expertise: We are experienced in handling acute dental injuries and the specific complications that arise from high-impact trauma.
- Compassionate Care: We understand you are likely in pain and shaken up. Our team provides a calming, supportive environment.
- Comprehensive Technology: Our digital imaging allows us to see fractures and root damage that traditional X-rays might miss.
- Convenient Location: We are right here in Glendale, making it easy for you to get to us quickly after leaving the scene or the hospital.