Dental trauma is a distressing event that involves injury to the teeth, gums, and surrounding soft tissues (lips and cheeks) or the jawbone. It is one of the most common reasons for seeking an emergency dentist in London, particularly among children and active adults.

Whether caused by a sports collision, a fall, a traffic accident, or biting down on something unexpectedly hard, the immediate aftermath of dental trauma is critical. The actions you take in the first 30 to 60 minutes often determine whether a tooth can be saved or if it will be lost forever. Our South Kensington clinic specializes in the rapid triage and treatment of traumatic dental injuries.

Types of Dental Trauma We Treat

Dental injuries fall into several categories, ranging from superficial chips to severe displacements:

Avulsion (Knocked-Out Tooth): The entire tooth, including the root, is completely displaced from its socket. This is the most severe form of dental emergency.
Luxation (Dislodged Tooth): The tooth is still in the socket but has been pushed out of position, either sideways (lateral), deeper into the gum (intrusive), or partially pulled out (extrusive).
Fracture (Broken Tooth): A crack or break in the tooth crown or root. This can range from simple enamel chips to deep fractures exposing the nerve (pulp).
Soft Tissue Injury: Lacerations (cuts) to the lips, tongue, or cheeks that may require sutures (stitches).

CRITICAL: What to Do If a Tooth is Knocked Out

You have a "Golden Hour" to save the tooth. Follow these steps immediately:

Find the tooth immediately. Handle it only by the crown (the white top part), NEVER touch the root.

Check if it is dirty. If so, rinse it briefly (max 10 seconds) with cold milk or your own saliva. Do NOT scrub it or use alcohol/water.

Re-implant the tooth. Try to gently push the tooth back into the socket in your gum. Bite down on a clean handkerchief to hold it in place.

Storage. If you cannot put it back in, store the tooth in a container of milk or inside your cheek (in your saliva). Do not let it dry out.

Call us immediately. Go straight to the emergency dentist. Time is the most critical factor.

Treatment Options for Dental Trauma

At Emergency Dentist London, our priority is to stabilize the injury, relieve pain, and restore aesthetics. The treatment depends on the type of injury:

Splinting

For mobile, dislodged, or re-implanted teeth, we use a flexible wire or composite resin to "splint" the injured tooth to the healthy adjacent teeth. This acts like a cast for a broken arm, holding the tooth stable for 2-4 weeks while the periodontal ligaments heal.

Pulp Capping & Root Canals

If a fracture exposes the nerve (you will see a red dot in the center of the break), bacteria can enter instantly. We may place a protective dressing (pulp cap) to soothe the nerve. If the nerve is damaged beyond repair, a root canal treatment will be necessary to remove the dying tissue and prevent abscess formation.

Composite Bonding

For clean fractures where the nerve is intact, we can often rebuild the missing part of the tooth immediately using high-strength aesthetic composite resin. This restores your smile in a single visit.

Prevention: The Importance of Mouthguards

A significant number of the trauma cases we see are sports-related. We strongly recommend custom-made mouthguards for anyone participating in contact sports (rugby, boxing, hockey, martial arts).

Unlike "boil-and-bite" shop-bought guards, a custom dentist-made guard offers superior protection, comfort, and shock absorption, reducing the risk of broken teeth and jaw fractures.

Why Choose Us for Trauma Care?

Trauma management requires a specific skillset, combining surgery, endodontics (root canals), and cosmetic dentistry. Our principal dentists are highly experienced in handling complex dental injuries.

We have on-site digital X-ray facilities to check for root fractures and alveolar (jaw bone) damage instantly. Located in Central London, we are easily accessible for urgent same-day care.

If you have suffered a dental injury, do not wait for the pain to start. Immediate assessment can save your tooth and save you from expensive implant treatment in the future.