Endodontic Services
Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries
A fall, sports injury, or accident can damage a tooth and its nerve, even when the tooth looks fine. Prompt assessment helps us understand the injury and plan care.
Endodontic services at West End Dental Centre are provided by our general dentist team. Our dentists are not licensed specialists in endodontics. Complex cases may be referred when that is in your interest.
Types of dental injuries
Dental injuries range from small chips to teeth that are loosened, pushed out of position, or knocked out completely. A blow to the mouth can also crack a root or bruise the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains its nerve and blood supply.
Some injuries are obvious right away. Others may not show signs for weeks or even months, when a tooth begins to darken or becomes sensitive. That is why injured teeth are assessed carefully and followed up over time. For urgent situations, see our emergency dental care page.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out
Time matters. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water without scrubbing. If you can, gently place it back in its socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If not, keep it in milk or, for adults, in the mouth against the cheek, then call us right away at 780-944-2828.
Baby teeth should not be put back in. If there is a head injury, loss of consciousness, or bleeding that will not stop, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 first. More guidance is on our knocked-out tooth page.
How we assess an injured tooth
Your dentist will gather as much information as possible about the injury:
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Understanding what happened
We ask how and when the injury occurred and whether you have noticed pain, sensitivity, or changes in your bite.
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Clinical examination
Your dentist checks the injured tooth and its neighbours for fractures, looseness, or changes in position, and examines the lips, gums, and soft tissues.
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X-rays
Imaging helps reveal root fractures or changes in the surrounding bone that cannot be seen in the mouth.
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Checking the nerve
Simple tests can show how the pulp is responding. These are often repeated at follow-up visits, because the nerve can take time to recover or show signs of damage.
Possible treatments
Treatment depends on the type of injury and how the tooth responds over time. It may include:
- Smoothing or bonding a chipped tooth
- Repositioning a displaced tooth and stabilising it with a temporary splint
- Root canal treatment if the pulp is damaged or becomes infected
- A crown to protect a tooth that has lost significant structure
- Monitoring with follow-up exams and X-rays to watch for changes
Signs to watch for after an injury
Even if a tooth seemed fine after an injury, contact us if you notice:
- The tooth turning grey, yellow, or darker than its neighbours
- Pain, throbbing, or sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth
- The tooth feeling loose or your bite feeling different
These signs can have several causes. Only an exam and X-rays can confirm what is happening with an injured tooth. Complex cases may be referred when that is in your interest.
Endodontic Services
- Endodontic Services Overview
- Root Canal Treatment
- Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries
- Cracked Tooth Treatment
Injured a tooth? Call us right away
Call 780-944-2828 or book an appointment online.