Each year motor vehicle collisions cause millions of injuries for accident victims throughout the United States. The severity of the traffic accident typically indicates the amount of injuries and damages suffered for those parties involved. Facial damage, dental injuries in particular, are one of the most common types of injury endured during a serious vehicle crash. Dental injuries, commonly referred to as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) damage, are often sustained by accident victims.
Unfortunately, far too many accident victims neglect to treat their injuries properly, largely due to the fact that many dental injuries occur during catastrophic accidents. In these situations, victims tend to address their more severe injuries, ignoring their dental problems, and potentially cause even further damage. Whiplash is one of the most common aftermaths of a Knoxville, TN auto accident. And while whiplash commonly injures the neck, it may also inflict harm to the victims face, jaw, head, or mouth depending on the position at the time of impact.
Greg Coleman Law has proudly provided legal protection for the citizens of Tennessee during the last 25 years. With a track record of trying more than 100 jury trials and countless bench trials, our team of skilled personal injury attorneys understands what it takes to be successful in the courtroom. We combine our experience, knowledge, and compassion for Knoxville residents to craft cases that win the maximum compensation for our clients. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident resulting in dental injuries, Greg Coleman Law is here for you.
To learn more information about your legal options, please complete a Free Case Review form on this page.
Types of Dental Injuries
Dental injuries can be either direct or indirect depending upon the auto accident and the force of impact sustained by the accident victim. Direct dental injuries occur when the head or mouth is either struck by or strikes some kind of object. Indirect dental injuries occur when an open mouth abruptly closes which forces the lower jaws teeth to be crushed by the upper teeth. Any type of damage to the mouth is incredibly painful for the accident victim.
Motor vehicle collisions typically inflict more severe damages to the dental region, especially during highway travel where speeds are increased. Treatment for dental injuries will vary depending upon the extent of the injury as well as the number of teeth affected. The following are the three main types of dental injuries commonly caused by traffic crashes:
Avulsed Tooth
When a tooth is completely knocked out of its socket, it is said to be an avulsed tooth. Accident victims must note that when a tooth is knocked out you must not pick it up by the roots, only by the crown. After picking up the tooth by the crown, immediately put the tooth in a plastic container filled with saliva, saline solution, or whole milk. Sadly, accident victims must seek medical attention immediately, as there is only about a 2 hour window of time to get the tooth back in the mouth. After this period of time passes, there is a poor chance that the tooth will survive.
Tooth Luxation
This kind of dental injury involves a tooth which is loosened but not completely knocked out. Tooth luxation causes the damaged tooth to be able to move backward, forward, and sideways. Treatment for these injuries usually involves pushing the tooth back to its original position, although a dentist should be seen to ensure no further damage has been suffered.
Fractured Teeth
Acute dental trauma often occurs during catastrophic auto collisions. Dental fractures require treatment in order to fix the damaged teeth. Dental fractures are generally broken into three categories: Ellis I, Ellis II, and Ellis III.
-
Ellis I injuries refers to a fracture in the crown that only extends through the enamel of the tooth. In these cases, the teeth have rough edges but are not tender and have no visible change in color.
-
Ellis II injuries involve fractures to both the enamel as well as the dentin layer. In this case, the damaged teeth are tender upon touch and air exposure. There is also often a yellow layer of dentin which may be visible during an examination.
-
Ellis III injuries are fractures which involve the enamel, dentin, and pulp layers. With similar sensitivity as Ellis II, these types of damages inflict a visible region of red, pink, or even blood on the center of the tooth.
If you or a loved one has suffered any dental injuries, Greg Coleman Law is prepared to take on your case today.
Contact a Knowledgeable Knoxville Lawyer Today
With over 25 years of legal experience, the skilled team of personal injury attorneys at Greg Coleman Law understands what it takes to win in the courtroom. Using a mix of thorough research, unmatched dedication to the law, and a deep knowledge of personal injury litigation tactics, our accident injury lawyers work diligently to craft a case which awards our clients the maximum compensation possible.
To get started today, please fill out a Free Case Review form at your earliest convenience.
