Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- celebrity smiles (87)
- cosmetic dentistry (26)
- oral health (33)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (2)
- dental implant (4)
- dental implants (16)
- bridgework (2)
- dental injury (8)
- crown (2)
- fluoride (4)
- mouthguards (7)
- tooth decay (5)
- pediatric dentistry (10)
- oral hygiene (23)
- common symptoms (2)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- bad breath (2)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- oral sedation (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- braces (11)
- orthodontics (7)
- root canal (3)
- teeth whitening (5)
- dentures (1)
- gum disease (11)
- diabetes (1)
- smile makeover (10)
- wedding day smile (1)
- accessory root canals (1)
- root planing (1)
- orthodontic treatment (7)
- bonding (2)
- clear orthodontic aligners (1)
- thumb sucking (3)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- gum surgery (1)
- dental injuries (2)
- bridge (2)
- dental anxiety (3)
- dental emergency (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- medications (1)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- periodontal disease (2)
- clear aligners (1)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- loose teeth (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- fillings (1)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- composite resins (1)
- crowns (3)
- smile design (2)
- partial denture (1)
- mouth rash (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- veneers (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- sensitive teeth (2)
- mouthguard (1)
- extractions (1)
- gum recession (4)
- retainers (1)
- bruxism (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- toothache (1)
- root canal treatment (4)
- bone loss (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- nutrition (3)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- jaw pain (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- sugar (1)
- retainer (2)
- baby teeth (1)
- flossing (1)
- sleep apnea (1)
- snoring (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- athletic mouthguard (1)
- tooth extractions (1)
Categories:
The March 27th game started off pretty well for NBA star Kevin Love. His team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were coming off a 5-game winning streak as they faced the Miami Heat that night. Less than two minutes into the contest, Love charged in for a shot on Heat center Jordan Mickey—but instead of a basket, he got an elbow in the face that sent him to the floor (and out of the game) with an injury to his mouth.
In pictures from the aftermath, Love’s front tooth seemed clearly out of position. According to the Cavs’ official statement, “Love suffered a front tooth subluxation.” But what exactly does that mean, and how serious is his injury?
The dental term “subluxation” refers to one specific type of luxation injury—a situation where a tooth has become loosened or displaced from its proper location. A subluxation is an injury to tooth-supporting structures such as the periodontal ligament: a stretchy network of fibrous tissue that keeps the tooth in its socket. The affected tooth becomes abnormally loose, but as long as the nerves inside the tooth and the underlying bone have not been damaged, it generally has a favorable prognosis.
Treatment of a subluxation injury may involve correcting the tooth’s position immediately and/or stabilizing the tooth—often by temporarily splinting (joining) it to adjacent teeth—and maintaining a soft diet for a few weeks. This gives the injured tissues a chance to heal and helps the ligament regain proper attachment to the tooth. The condition of tooth’s pulp (soft inner tissue) must also be closely monitored; if it becomes infected, root canal treatment may be needed to preserve the tooth.
So while Kevin Love’s dental dilemma might have looked scary in the pictures, with proper care he has a good chance of keeping the tooth. Significantly, Love acknowledged on Twitter that the damage “…could have been so much worse if I wasn’t protected with [a] mouthguard.”
Love’s injury reminds us that whether they’re played at a big arena, a high school gym or an outdoor court, sports like basketball (as well as baseball, football and many others) have a high potential for facial injuries. That’s why all players should wear a mouthguard whenever they’re in the game. Custom-made mouthguards, available for a reasonable cost at the dental office, are the most comfortable to wear, and offer protection that’s superior to the kind available at big-box retailers.
If you have questions about dental injuries or custom-made mouthguards, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries” and “Athletic Mouthguards.”