How long do dental implants last?

With proper care and good oral hygiene, dental implants can last for decades – potentially a lifetime. The titanium implant itself can effectively integrate with your jawbone permanently. The crown (visible tooth portion) may need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years due to normal wear and tear.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Generally, you need to have adequate bone density and healthy gum tissues to support the implants. However, even if you've experienced bone loss, bone grafting procedures can often improve your candidacy. The best way to know is through an evaluation by an implant dentist.

How painful is the implant procedure?

The implant placement procedure itself is not painful since it’s performed under anesthesia. You may experience some minor swelling and discomfort for a few days afterward, which can be managed with over-the-counter medication.

How do I care for dental implants?

You care for implants just like natural teeth - brush twice daily, floss once a day, and attend regular dental cleanings and check-ups. Good oral hygiene helps ensure the long-term success of your implants.

Dental Trauma Emergencies in Farmington, CT

When Seconds Count: Managing Dental Trauma Before Professional Care

Dental emergencies can occur suddenly, causing severe pain and distress. Understanding how to properly handle traumatic dental injuries before reaching an emergency dentist can significantly improve outcomes and potentially save your teeth.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency in Farmington, CT, or surrounding areas like Plainville, New Britain, Hartford, or Newington, Dr. Frank Kuzmin at Pinnacle Dental offers emergency dental care. However, knowing the right steps to take before arriving at our Farmington dental office can make all the difference in your treatment success.

What is Dental Trauma?

Dental trauma encompasses injuries affecting the teeth, gums, oral mucosa, and surrounding soft tissues. These injuries commonly result from:

Sports-related accidents
Falls or vehicular accidents
Physical altercations
Biting on hard objects
Facial trauma

Such incidents can lead to various dental emergencies, from minor tooth fractures to complete tooth avulsion (when a tooth is knocked out completely).

Recognizing Signs of Traumatic Dental Injuries

Quick identification of dental trauma symptoms allows for prompt emergency treatment. Watch for these warning signs:

Severe pain or tooth sensitivity, especially to temperature changes
Visible damage, including chips, cracks, or fractured teeth
Bleeding from the gums or other oral soft tissues
Swelling around the affected area
Loose or partially displaced teeth that feel unstable when touched
Changes in bite alignment cause discomfort when closing your mouth
Numbness or altered sensation in the affected area
Tooth discoloration (gray or dark yellow) indicating potential nerve damage
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth, which may suggest a mandibular fracture
Exposed dental pulp appears as a red spot within a broken tooth
Signs of dental infections including swelling, pain, or discharge

Immediate Steps After Dental Trauma

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Remain composed during a dental emergency. For children especially, dental trauma can be frightening, so maintaining a reassuring demeanor helps manage the situation effectively.

Step 2: Control Bleeding

For bleeding from dental injuries, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth and hold continuously for 10-15 minutes. If bleeding persists, seek emergency dental care immediately.

Step 3: Preserve Tooth Fragments

For a fractured tooth, carefully collect all tooth fragments and rinse them gently with saline solution, making sure not to scrub. Store the fragments in milk, saline solution, or a tooth preservation kit before bringing them to your emergency dentist appointment.

Step 4: Handle Avulsed Teeth Properly

If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out:

Hold the tooth by the crown only (avoid touching the root)
Gently rinse with milk or saline solution if dirty (do not scrub)
Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket if possible
If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk, saline solution, or a tooth preservation kit
Seek emergency dental treatment within 30-60 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth

Important: The periodontal ligament cells on the root surface are crucial for successful reimplantation. Proper handling maximizes the chance of saving your tooth.

Step 5: Reduce Pain and Swelling

To manage pain before reaching your emergency dentist, apply a cold compress to the affected area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen as directed but avoid applying aspirin directly to the gums, as it can cause tissue damage.

Step 6: Contact Your Emergency Dentist Immediately

Call Pinnacle Dental at (860) 470-3660 for urgent dental care in Farmington. Dr. Kuzmin can treat traumatic dental injuries and provides prompt emergency treatment.

Essential Items for Your Dental Emergency Kit

Prepare for dental emergencies by maintaining a dental first aid kit containing:

Sterile gauze pads for controlling bleeding
Small container with lid (for storing avulsed teeth or fragments)
Saline solution for gentle rinsing
Over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
Cold pack for reducing swelling
Dental floss for removing lodged objects between teeth
Contact information for your emergency dentist

Professional Treatment Options for Dental Trauma

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

Treatment depends on the extent of damage:

Minor fractures: Dental bonding or smoothing rough edges
Moderate fractures: Dental fillings or partial dental crowns
Severe fractures with pulp exposure: Root canal therapy followed by dental crowns

Dislodged or Partially Displaced Teeth

For teeth that have shifted but remain in the socket, treatment involves repositioning and stabilization. If nerve damage has occurred, possible root canal therapy may be necessary. Additionally, monitoring for complications during the healing process is essential.

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth

Time-sensitive treatment includes the reimplantation of the tooth, stabilization with a splint, root canal therapy typically needed within 7-10 days, and long-term monitoring for complications.

Root Fractures

Treatment varies based on fracture location:

Crown fractures: Often treatable with dental bonding or crowns
Root fractures: May require stabilization and close monitoring
Severe fractures: Could necessitate tooth extraction if the tooth cannot be saved

Alveolar Bone Fractures

Injuries to the underlying alveolar bone supporting the teeth require specialized treatment to realign and stabilize the bone and may necessitate a referral to an oral surgeon. These types of injuries often involve longer healing periods that require careful monitoring.

Soft Tissue Injuries

For lacerations to the gums, lips, or oral mucosa, thorough cleaning of the wound is essential. Suturing may be necessary, and antibiotics could be prescribed to prevent infection if warranted.

Mandibular Fractures

Severe facial trauma may cause mandible fractures that require immediate referral to a hospital emergency room. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, and dental stabilization will be needed during the healing process.

Post-Dental Trauma Care for Preventing Complications

After initial emergency treatment:

Follow all post-treatment instructions carefully
Maintain excellent oral hygiene while being gentle around injured areas
Attend all follow-up appointments to monitor healing
Watch for signs of infection or complications
Consider a custom mouthguard for future protection, especially during sports

Frequently Asked Questions

Time is critical with avulsed teeth. The best chance for successful reimplantation occurs within the first 30–60 minutes. After this window, the survival rate of periodontal ligament cells decreases significantly, though emergency treatment should still be sought as solutions may be available.

No. Unlike permanent teeth, avulsed primary teeth should not be reimplanted as this could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Instead, control bleeding and consult your emergency dentist promptly.

Dental bonding can effectively repair minor to moderate tooth fractures. For severely damaged teeth, more comprehensive restorations like dental crowns may be necessary following root canal therapy if the dental pulp is exposed.

For isolated dental injuries, an emergency dentist is typically better equipped to provide specialized care. However, if you experience severe facial trauma, bleeding that won’t stop, suspected jaw fractures, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek immediate medical attention in a hospital emergency room.

Choose Pinnacle Dental for Emergency Dental Care in Farmington, CT

Dr. Frank Kuzmin and the Pinnacle Dental team recognize the urgency of dental emergencies and provide immediate, compassionate care. Our services include:

Same-day emergency appointments
Advanced treatment planning for complex cases
Comprehensive care for all dental injuries
Immediate pain relief solutions
Long-term restoration options

Don’t delay if you’re facing dental trauma. Contact our Farmington office at (860) 470-3660 for prompt emergency care. Serving Farmington, Plainville, New Britain, Hartford, Newington, and nearby areas, we ensure quick action and treatment to save your injured tooth. Rely on Dr. Kuzmin and Pinnacle Dental for your emergency dental needs.

Look what our Happy Patients are saying!

I just had my first appointment at this new practice and can say I’m extremely happy. Everyone I met, Dr. Kuzmin, his hygienist , Melissa, and the front desk manager, Christina, we’re all warm and friendly and highly knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this practice

— Lorraine L.

I can’t believe I’m saying this about a dental office, but these guys are unbelievably helpful and friendly! Dr. Kuzmin was great, gave me an assessment and didn’t try to recommend additional stuff I wasn’t interested in. But the best part of using Pinnacle is Christine at the front desk! She worked with me over the weekend to get me in quickly and easily, amazing service with a smile! I’ve found my new home for dental work! See you in 6 months!

— Mark P.

I had a very complicated case. Replacing all crowns and veneers for entire mouth. Meticulous attention given to all aspects of the treatment process, making sure I was satisfied with process and results at all times. Today had permanent teeth put in place. I couldn’t have even imagined how dramatic the end result would be with a completely natural looking and symmetrical smile. Could not recommend more this whole team for cosmetic and corrective dentistry!. I will be a permanent patient for all my preventative and maintenance dental care!👍👍👍😃

— Sheila M.

Dr. Kuzmin created a professional environment with highly- skilled people in all positions. The office setting is very relaxed with state-of-the-art equipment. Highly-recommend Pinnacle Dental.

— Linda M.

Very professional and wonderful staff. I also like the doctor, compassionate to your needs.

— Marygale B.

The office manager was especially kind in helping me reschedule due to an emergency with my son. Now that I finally made it in, it was lovely to see the offices were beautifully renovated. But most of all, the entire staff creates a warm, caring environment. Pleased to say I’ll be sticking with Pinnacle Dental!

— Marah L.

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