Tooth troubles?

Tooth troubles?
17 March 2005
DR PREET KANWAL SINGH
Express News Service
Ludhiana: THE face is a part of the body which provides uniqueness and personality to an individual. The role of teeth in aesthetics can also not be undermined. Unfortunately, these two areas are also most vulnerable to injuries of various kinds. The most common cause is road accidents due to high speed vehicular traffic. Other causes include falls, fights, sports related injuries, industrial accidents and natural disasters.
Dental injuries may vary from slight chipping off of the enamel to complete loss of the tooth. Treatment options include build-up with composites, root canal treatment, artificial crowns, splinting and complete tooth replacement. Results vary according to how early it has been replaced and on the severity of injury. At the site of the accident, the tooth should be lightly washed with fresh water and gently pushed back into the tooth socket.
If this is not possible, the tooth should be placed under the patientÇƒÙs tongue or in a small container containing saline, milk or even water. The patient should be rushed to a specialist for examination and splinting of the tooth. This may save the patient from complex and expensive tooth replacement procedures like removable partial dentures, fixed bridges and dental implants.
Recent advances like miniplate fixation ensure better alignment of fractures and faster healing. This prevents facial disfigurement and absence from work for long periods of time.
The writer is consultant, oral & maxillofacial surgery