Your teeth are built to withstand the chewing or biting forces. However, the teeth can suffer injuries due to trauma or excessive force on the jaw. Common factors that can cause damage to teeth and the tissues that hold them in place include sports injuries, auto accidents, and assault. Tooth luxation is one of the most severe dental injuries.
Tooth luxation happens when a tooth becomes loose or moves from its normal position without completely coming out. The condition has symptoms like bleeding gums, pain, and swelling around the affected tooth. Luxation can cause infection, root necrosis, or tooth loss when left untreated. Therefore, you will need immediate attention to prevent further permanent oral health complications.
Tooth luxation can affect both children and adults. When you understand the signs, causes, and treatment options for the condition, you can act quickly and protect your oral health. If you experience any of the symptoms of luxation, you should seek immediate dental care.
What is Tooth Luxtation?
Tooth luxation is the displacement or loosening of a tooth. It happens when a tooth is pushed, pulled, or twisted out of its normal position in the socket. Your teeth sit on the alveolar bone, which contains the sockets. Each tooth root is attached to the bone by periodontal ligaments. Tooth luxation impacts the connective structure, causing the tooth to loosen or dislocate.
Tooth luxation is a common type of dental trauma. It accounts for up to 25% of dental injuries in adults and 20% in children. Luxation can range from mild loosening to complete dislodgment. Several situations can cause this kind of dental injury. They include:
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Sports Injuries
Sports activities are a leading cause of tooth relaxation. Contact sports like football, basketball, hockey, and boxing may involve physical impact to the jaw. A sudden hit to the mouth or jaw can loosen or shift a tooth. Players who do not wear mouthguards are at a higher risk of injury. Even non-contact sports like skateboarding or cycling can cause relaxation if you fall.
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Accidents and Falls
Another common cause of tooth dislocation is accidental falls, wet floors, tripping, or falling from a high height, which can directly impact the mouth. Children can experience luxation from playground falls or rough play. Older adults are vulnerable to these injuries because they have balance issues and weakened bone structures.
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Car and Road Accidents
Traffic accidents can have a substantial impact on the mouth and face. When your head collides with the steering wheel or dashboard, it can force your teeth in an unexpected direction. Motorbike and bicycle crashes without helmets can also increase the risk of injury.
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Physical Assault or Fights
During a fight or physical assault, a blow to the face can result in tooth relaxation. The blow can move the tooth from its normal position. The direction and strength of the impact determine the severity of the luxation.
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Dental or Medical Trauma
In rare cases, luxation can occur during medical or dental procedures. Excessive pressure during tooth extraction or intubation can accidentally damage nearby teeth.
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Childhood Vulnerability
Children are more prone to luxation than adults. Even mild impacts on the child's jaw can cause noticeable tooth movement.
Types of Tooth Luxation
Dentists classify tooth luxation into several types based on the direction and extent of the tooth movement. They include:
Concussion
A concussion is the mildest form of trauma. With this type of luxation, the tooth is not visibly displaced. However, it may feel tender when you touch it or bite it. It occurs when the periodontal ligament, which supports the tooth, is bruised.
There is no bleeding or visible movement of the tooth with a concussion. However, the tooth may feel sensitive to pressure. Treatment for a concussion often involves observation and a soft diet for a few days.
Subluxation
In subluxation, the tooth becomes loose but remains in its normal position. It occurs when the supporting tissues suffer mild damage. You may notice bleeding around the gum line and mild pain when you have subluxation.
Also, the tooth still feels stable but may move slightly when you touch it. Dentists stabilize the tooth with a flexible splint for one to two weeks. You should monitor for signs of pulp damage after subluxation treatment.
Extrusive Luxation
Extrusive luxation occurs when the tooth is partially pulled out of its socket. The tooth may appear longer than the surrounding teeth. Also, you may experience bleeding. This phenomenon happens because the tooth is displaced outward or downward due to trauma.
The periodontal ligament and the nerves inside the tooth are often stretched or torn. When you consult your dentist with this type of luxation, the dentist will gently reposition the tooth back into the socket. Additionally, they can stabilize it with a splint for two to three weeks. If the pulp becomes non-vital, you may need a root canal.
Lateral Luxation
Lateral luxation involves a sideways tooth displacement. The tooth is locked in a new position and does not move easily. The surrounding bone may suffer fractures, and the tooth may feel firm but misaligned. This type of injury can cause severe damage to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. The dentist will reposition the tooth carefully and stabilize it for about four weeks. After the stabilization, you must make follow-up visits to monitor healing and pulp vitality.
Intrusive Luxation
Intrusive luxation is the most severe form of luxation. It occurs when the tooth is pushed deeper into the jawbone. This can cause the affected tooth to appear shorter than the adjacent teeth. This type of injury damages the surrounding bone and nerves. Intrusive luxation is more common in children because their bones are softer.
Treatment for intrusive luxation depends on the tooth’s development. In immature teeth, the dentist may wait for spontaneous repositioning. In mature teeth, you may need orthodontic or surgical repositioning.
Avulsion
Avulsion is closely related to luxation injuries. It occurs when the tooth is completely knocked out of the socket. This completely damages the surrounding tissues, ligaments, and nerves. If you lose a tooth, rinse it and put it back in the socket.
Alternatively, you could store it in milk. When you reach your dentist's office, they will replant and splint the tooth as soon as possible. You can increase the chances of saving your teeth by seeking immediate dental care.
Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Luxation
Common symptoms of tooth luxation include:
- Tooth mobility. Symptoms of luxation include loosening of the tooth. You may notice that your tooth is moving slightly when you touch it. In severe cases of tooth luxation, the tooth may shift position. The looseness happens due to the damage to the supporting tissues around the tooth.
- Pain and discomfort. Pain is a common symptom of a luxated tooth. You may feel mild or sharp pain when chewing or applying pressure. The pain occurs due to injuries to the surrounding tissues. The level of pain depends on the severity of the trauma.
- Bleeding gums. After a tooth dislocation, you may experience bleeding around the gum line. Bleeding happens when the periodontal ligament or surrounding soft tissues tear. The bleeding can appear immediately after the injury and may continue for some time.
- Swelling and tenderness. This may appear as swelling around the injured area after tooth relaxation. The gums and facial tissue can become puffy and sensitive. You may feel discomfort or difficulty when chewing or talking.
- Change in tooth position. Tooth dislocation associated with luxation varies in severity. A luxated tooth may appear pushed inward or pulled outward. The tooth may also look longer or shorter than neighboring teeth. The visible displacement indicates that the tooth has moved from its normal position.
- Temperature sensitivity. When you have a dislocated tooth, you may be more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. Sensitivity occurs when the nerves in the tooth are exposed.
Diagnosis of Tooth Luxation
You should seek professional advice if you have dental problems or symptoms. Your dentist can diagnose the condition through:
- Clinical examination. The dentist will check your mouth for visible displacement or bleeding during your dental exam. They also test the tooth’s mobility and temperature responsiveness.
- Radiographs. Your dentist can use dental X-rays to help confirm the direction and extent of displacement. They can show root fractures or bone damage around the socket.
- Pulp vitality testing. This test allows the dentist to check if the tooth’s nerve is still alive. Also, it helps determine if you need root canal treatment.
- Periodontal evaluation. The dentist will check your gums and ligament around the affected tooth to determine its stability.
A thorough diagnosis allows the dentist to make the correct diagnosis and a treatment plan for you.
Treatment Options for Tooth Luxation
Treatment for tooth luxation will vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Early treatment increases the chance of saving your tooth. Standard treatment options that your dentist can recommend include:
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Mild injuries like a concussion or subluxation may only require observation. The dentist will schedule follow-up visits to check healing. Also, they can ensure that there is no infection or resorption.
Tooth Repositioning
If your luxation involves tooth displacement, the dentist gently moves it back to its normal position. Tooth repositioning should be done as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Splinting
After repositioning a displaced tooth, your dentist will stabilize it using a flexible dental splint. The splint holds the tooth in place while the surrounding tissues heal. A splint remains for 2–4 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
Root Canal Treatment
In severe cases of tooth luxation, your tooth pulp may suffer irreparable damage. In this case, your dentist will perform a root canal to save the tooth. Root canal is typical in intrusive and lateral luxations.
Medication
Your dentist can recommend pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs to manage discomfort. Also, they can prescribe antibiotics for an infection.
Complications of Tooth Luxation
If left untreated, tooth luxation can lead to oral health complications. These problems can affect the tooth's health, the surrounding tissues, and your overall oral function. The problems are:
- Pulp necrosis. Pulp necrosis happens when the nerve inside the tooth dies. Nerve damage can cause tooth discoloration, pain, and infection. In this case, you may need a root canal to save the tooth.
- Root resorption. After trauma, the body may mistakenly start breaking down the tooth’s root. Root resorption weakens the tooth and can lead to tooth loss if not treated early.
- Tooth ankylosis. In some cases, the tooth can fuse directly to the jawbone instead of being supported by the ligament. The condition is known as ankylosis, and it prevents normal tooth movement. Tooth ankylosis can cause problems with tooth alignment.
- Infection or abscess. After a dental luxation, the shifting tooth can create gaps where bacteria enter. These bacteria can cause infection of the tooth pulp and gums. If left untreated, the infection can form a painful abscess.
- Tooth discoloration. A luxated tooth may turn gray or dark over time. The discoloration is a result of blood vessel or nerve damage.
- Tooth loss. Severe luxation or untreated complications can lead to complete tooth loss. You can explore replacement options like bridges or implants when you lose a tooth due to luxation. These procedures are costly and time-consuming. Therefore, you should seek immediate care for your dislocation to avoid irreparable damage.
Find Expert Dental Services Near Me
Tooth luxation is a serious dental injury. It can be caused by sports, accidents, or trauma such as an assault. Luxation occurs when the tooth is displaced but does not fall out of its socket. You might have tooth luxation if you experience tooth loosening, bleeding, or swelling of the gums.
When you consult your dentist with these symptoms, they can recommend various treatments. Common treatments for tooth luxation can include tooth repositioning, stabilization, and root canal therapy. You minimize infection and tooth loss by seeing an emergency dentist for a dislocated tooth. After your procedure, your dentist can give you some aftercare instructions for faster recovery.
If you need expert diagnosis and treatment for tooth luxation, you should contact an experienced dentist. At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we offer safe and effective dental care. Contact us today at 818-751-5100 from Encino, CA, to schedule your appointment.
