Dental Damage or Teeth Issues After a Car Accident? Here is What You Need to Know

Dental damage is a common injury following a car accident. If the lower part of the face hits the steering wheel or dashboard or if the airbag deploys, mouth injuries can occur. Victims are entitled to compensation for their medical care, treatment, and pain and suffering under Louisiana law. Especially when it comes to teeth damage, dental insurance plans consider replacing chipped or broken teeth a cosmetic procedure, not a medical procedure, and will not cover the cost to replace the teeth. However, dental damage is a result of the car accident, which means you are entitled to compensation to cover the costs of your treatment.

Types of Dental Injuries from Car Accidents

The following is a list of common dental injuries caused by car accidents.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Treatment for cracked or chipped teeth depends on the health of surrounding tissues and nerve and how deep the crack is. Victims of car accidents that suffer dental injuries must seek dental care within 12 hours of the accident to try to save the tooth.

Loosened/Dislodged Teeth: Loosened or dislodged teeth are still intact but have shifted or moved within the mouth or come out of their sockets. Common treatment may involve preserving the tooth if dental assistance is sought within four hours from the accident, splinting, or a root canal.

Lost Teeth: A knocked-out tooth or avulsed tooth can be treated if within hours following the car accident the victim seeks medical treatment from a dentist. If the tooth cannot be saved, veneers or implants may be necessary to restore the tooth or affected teeth. 

Treatment Procedures for Dental Injuries

If the tooth or teeth cannot be saved, a car accident victim with dental damage may have to undergo the following procedures to repair the mouth: implants, veneers, crowns, fillings, bonding, enamel shaping, root canals, or tooth extractions.

Tell the doctor who examines you in the emergency room following a car accident and the dentist about your dental injuries as they relate to the car crash and seek prompt dental medical assistance. The quicker you see a dentist, the more likely your tooth and teeth can be saved.

Have You Suffered Dental Damage in a Car Accident?

For help recovering dental injury compensation, contact Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC to help you obtain needed compensation. The Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers are available to meet with you to discuss your injuries and whether they entitle you to compensation following a car accident. Call today to schedule your free consultation. We have three convenient offices throughout the state in New Orleans 888-601-0127, Baton Rouge 225-612-0800, or Lafayette 337-409-0003. You can also schedule your appointment via email at [email protected] or book an online appointment.

The law offices of Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC also represent victims of serious injuries or death because of negligence, defective products, premises liability, or strict liability matters, including car accidents, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, medical malpractice, boating accidents, and motorcycle accidents.