Front teeth are often involved in injuries to the face. The center of the tooth is filled with blood vessels and nerves and is called the NERVE or the PULP of the tooth. When this nerve is injured, as from a blow to the tooth, it can die over a period of time. The tooth doesn’t always abscess to indicate that the nerve has died but commonly becomes a darker color than the adjacent teeth.
An injured front tooth may react in several ways over time:• It may abscess and become painful.
• A gumboil may form above the tooth on the gum. This is an abscess in which the infection escapes at the site of the gumboil. It is usually painless but needs to be treated so as not to become painful in the future.
• The root may shorten over time and can cause the tooth to become loose. This is only found by taking periodic X-rays of the injured tooth. This condition needs to be treated as early as possible to prevent the loss of the tooth.
• The root may become thinner over time and cause the tooth to break suddenly. This is found only by taking periodic X-rays of the injured tooth. This condition needs to be treated as early as possible to prevent loss of the tooth.
• A cyst may form around the tip of the root, destroying bone and slowly enlarging. This is found only by taking periodic X-rays and needs to be treated as early as possible.
For these reasons, it is advisable to follow an injured front tooth (or a tooth that is darker than adjacent teeth) with X-rays. Comparing periodic X-rays is especially valuable in determining whether suspected damage is occurring.