Common Dental Injuries That Result from Forceful Impacts

Tooth problems can cause a cascade of other health issues, including infections, bone erosion, and difficulty eating that can lead to malnutrition. Unfortunately, dental injuries are also fairly common in car collisions. While human teeth are strong, they aren’t built to withstand forceful impacts.

If you suffer a tooth injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to get compensation from the liable party. It all starts with a meeting with a local personal injury attorney. Schedule a consultation with Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman now by calling 866-565-4949.

The Dangers of Tooth Injuries

Tooth injuries are especially risky for accident victims. To start, the majority of Americans have health insurance. Even if it’s a high deductible plan, people at least know they won’t be bankrupted by medical expenses. However, the same isn’t true for dental insurance. Many people pass on dental insurance, especially if they have healthy teeth and don’t anticipate needing fillings.

For those who do have dental insurance, it’s often very limited. Anything beyond a basic exam and cavity filling is likely to cost thousands. This means that dental injuries can be prohibitively expensive for injury victims.

On top of that, poor dental health can have a profoundly negative impact on your physical health. A dental infection can become septic, putting you at risk of death. Someone with weak or missing teeth may be unable to chew their food, which may deprive them of nutrients. This causes its own problems.

There are a few common types of dental injuries that may be caused by an impact.

Dental Avulsions

Dental avulsions happen when an accident completely knocks out an accident victim’s tooth. In serious accidents, a victim may lose multiple teeth. The outcome depends largely on how the tooth breaks and how quickly the person seeks dental care. In some cases, the tooth can be repaired and put back in the mouth. In others, the victim must get implants or use dentures.

Fractured Teeth

Broken teeth are a complex issue for patients. Even if the fracture only affects the superficial areas of the teeth that don’t affect the nerves of the mouth, a broken tooth can be embarrassing and mentally traumatic for a victim. Additionally, a realistic repair can be expensive and time-consuming.

In some situations, fractures are very serious injuries. If the tooth breaks far enough down to cause nerve damage, the person may suffer excruciating pain until the nerve is no longer exposed.

Tooth Luxation

Each tooth in your mouth is secured by a variety of tissues and ligaments. The force of an impact can stretch or rip this tissue. The affected teeth become looser, leaving the patient unable to chew or otherwise use their mouth without pain. You may need the help of a restorative dental specialist, which can be very expensive.

What Causes Dental Injuries in Car Collisions?

The force of an impact can cause you to strike your head into a variety of objects. This is the most common source of dental injuries in car crashes. For example, you may slam your head on the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag. You could also suffer damage caused by broken glass or an airborne object in the vehicle.

Your Attorney Can Help You Seek Compensation

While it’s always important to talk to an attorney after a personal injury, it’s particularly crucial if you have damaged your teeth. Without proper compensation, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars of dental repairs. If you don’t have dental insurance, fees could easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.

An attorney can help you pursue compensation for your dental bills. They can also explain other types of compensation available to you, including money for lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.

Explore Your Legal Options with Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman

You shouldn’t be left holding the bill when someone else’s mistake causes you serious injuries. We’re here to help you hold the right party accountable. Schedule a consultation with the team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman to learn more about your next steps now. Just contact us online or call us at 866-565-4949.