Dental subluxation refers to a tooth that is slightly dislodged but has not been knocked out or completely displaced from the jawbone. It is an important dental injury that should be spotted quickly but often heals up on its own without any invasive treatment.
Depending on the type of injury, your dentist will take X-rays to help with diagnosis and treatment. Intrusive luxations are usually treated with flexible splints and regular monitoring.
Dental trauma can occur for a number of reasons. These may include a sports injury, a slip and fall, or a vehicle accident.
The damage to the tooth may range from simple craze lines on the enamel (a common injury after a sports accident) to a serious luxation that completely knocks the tooth out of its socket. The severity of the injury can determine what treatment is required to restore the tooth's function and appearance.
There are two main types of luxation injuries: concussion and subluxation. A concussion is a mild form of trauma, involving damage to the periodontal ligament fibers but not enough to allow the tooth to loosen or move from its socket. It may be tender to the touch, and the gums may be slightly swollen or bleed.
Dental subluxation is a common traumatic injury to the primary teeth. It usually affects the maxillary central incisors and is characterized by abnormal mobility but no fracture or displacement of the tooth.
There are several types of luxation injuries to the teeth, and it’s important to have them evaluated by a dentist to determine the severity of the luxation and if you need treatment. Dentists examine teeth by feeling for looseness, and they may complete X-rays to get a better look at the damage.
The most severe luxation injuries are known as extrusive dental luxations, which occur when the ligaments that hold the tooth in place break down and allow it to move. This can cause the tooth to appear larger or smaller than it was before the injury. It can also cause a loss of tissue in the root. If this occurs, you might need flexible splints or root canals to repair the damage and maintain the vitality of the tooth.
Dental subluxation occurs when the ligaments and tissues holding the tooth in place are disrupted. This may occur in sports injuries, car accidents, falls, or other mishaps.
This can result in a displaced bone fragment that is attached to the root of the tooth by the periosteum, a thin tissue with a rich blood supply that nourishes the bone and keeps it alive.
When this bone is dislocated, it can also move the tooth with it. Often the tooth appears to be pushed forwards or backwards by the bone fragment, and a metallic sound can be heard when tapping it.
It is important to treat this injury as quickly as possible, especially in young children, to ensure the best chance of recovery and retention of the tooth. The treatment will involve repositioning the bone fragments and repairing any damage to the root.
Dental subluxation causes damage to your tooth’s pulp, the soft tissue that lies deep inside your tooth. If it doesn’t heal, your tooth will die and need to be extracted.
The damage to the pulp occurs when the tooth is forced out of its socket (alveolar fracture). It can also happen if the nerve gets damaged or a root canal isn’t performed right away.
There are three types of luxation injuries: concussion, subluxation, and extrusion. The first type, known as a concussion, is when your tooth doesn’t move or loosen but still feels tender to touch and bleeds near the gumline.
In this case, you may need X-rays or pulp tests to find out what’s wrong. Pulp tests are more sensitive than X-rays, so you may have to wait for your next appointment before a definitive diagnosis can be made. Sensibility testing may be negative initially, but that often indicates a temporary loss of pulpal response.
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