62.2 Injuries to the teeth an alveolus

The front of a patient’s upper jaw is most at risk. In less severe injuries only his teeth are damaged, in more severe ones his alveolus may be fractured. Although injured teeth do not threaten life, they are acutely painful, especially when the pulp is hanging out. When a tooth is hit: (1) its crown may fracture, (2) its root may fracture, (3) the whole tooth may subluxate, (4) it may be impacted into the surrounding tissue, or, (5) it may be inhaled, and be followed by a lung abscess.