Emergency Staff
DENTAL TRAUMA SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY STAFF
Comfort Dental Care service is for ambulatory patients who have recently suffered dental trauma and require additional care.
These specialized services are available to adults and children.
Do not delay!
Place the tooth back in its socket. It is important to reimplant the tooth within 30 minutes after accident. This will give the patient the best chance to retain the tooth for life.
FOR THE TRIAGE NURSE:
If there is any possibility of delay, due to a busy E.R. have the patient rinse their own tooth and place it back in the socket. This is of vital importance to keep the cells around the tooth alive.
WHAT TO DO WITH A DENTAL TRAUMA PATIENT
| 1. |
If necessary remove debris by holding tooth by the crown and rinse in saline. Do NOT scrub the root or remove any attached tissue fragments. Do NOT allow the tooth to dry.This will destroy the cells. |
| 2. |
Remove the coagulum from the socket with a stream of saline and place the tooth back in the socket. Mold bone around tooth to decrease edema. (Do not reinsert “baby” teeth.) |
| 3. |
Establish that no other facial trauma has occurred and complete any necessary sutures for lacerations. Apply cold compress. Provide the patient with a dental trauma referral, Comfort Dental Care Patient Brochure, and call Dr. Comfort at 916.315.8830. |
| 4. |
Treatment should begin immediately so teeth will have the greatest chance at being accepted back by the body. Dr. Comfort is readily available and will return your call with instructions of how to proceed. |
WHAT IS DENTAL TRAUMA?
Tooth fracture, luxation, avulsion, and socket injury. It can also involve the dental alveolar osseous tissue.
Please note: If a major fracture exists, page the oral surgeon on call. IV sedation is not offered at this office and some cases require an operating room environment.
UNDERSTANDING DENTOALVEOLAR INJURY
| Type 1 fracture: |
An enamel only or “chip fracture.” |
| Type 2 fracture: |
A fracture through enamel and dentin. |
| Type 3 fracture: |
Involves the enamel, dentin and pulp. |
| Type 4 fracture: |
Involves the root. |
 |
The ligament surrounding the tooth contains live cells. Replantation exposes the tooth to its natural environment and maintains its viability.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REFERRAL
| 1. |
Dr. Comfort will re-implant any teeth that have been avulsed or broken, correcting damage to the socket(s) and re-establishing the patient's dental profile.The teeth will then be bonded with heavy gauge archwire. |
| 2. |
Dr. Comfort will perform a Calcium Hydroxide Pulpectomy (CaOH). |
| 3. |
The patient will receive follow-up consultations as necessary. Healing should take approximately 6 weeks. |
 |
 |
 |
| Before Treatment |
During Treatment |
After Initial Treatment |
|
PAYMENT
Please notify the patient that this is a private, fee-for service business. Payment is required at the time of service.
WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION CASES
In the event that the injury suffered is work related, the patient's employer must authorize dental services prior to treatment.