Baton Rouge Dentist

Can I Get George Lucas to Pay My Dental Bill?

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My son and I were having a light saber fight. He’s become somewhat of a Star Wars addict lately. Normally, I survive these intergalactic battles, but this time a ring around the base of the lightsaber flew off and hit me in the mouth. I thought I was fine at first, and told my son so. He feels terribly guilty for hitting me. But, the next day my tooth felt loose. I keep messing with it and feel pretty sure it’s loose. As it’s an adult tooth I’m guessing I have to replace it. I’m sure that’s going to be expensive. Too bad I can’t get George Lucas to foot the bill.

Miranda P. – California

Miranda,

Yes, it would be great if George Lucas offered some financial assistance here! But, that’s as likely as a Jedi repairing your tooth. That doesn’t mean your tooth has to go the way of the Jedi in Episode III. It’s possible it can be saved. However, for that to have any chance at all you’ll want to stop messing with it. Your tooth has ligaments that attach it. When they’re stretched too much or too often, they can snap.

I’d get in to see your dentist as soon as possible so he or she can stabilize your tooth and do an exam to see how much damage was done. IF you don’t have a dentist you can see right away, you’ll need to call an emergency dentist. They can bond it to the adjacent teeth, splint it, or use a similar method to stabilize it. If it’s protected and kept in its place, those ligaments may heal on their own and the tooth will recover. However, the pulp of the tooth may also be damaged. If this is the case, it may need a root canal treatment after the ligaments heal. Teeth with root canals often need crowns to protect them.

If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure your dentist is fairly skilled at cosmetic work as well, because from what you’ve described it’s a front tooth which was damaged.

There is a chance the tooth can’t be saved. If that happens you’re definitely right that you’ll want to replace the tooth. Two of your best options are a dental implant or a dental bridge. Dr. Ryan has a good page explaining both and when to choose which one. You can click here to read the dental implant versus dental bridge options.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Another victim of the new Star Wars movie

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Ever since the new Star Wars movie, it’s been all lightsabers, all the time. My sons are having light saber fights almost 24/7. I was rounding the kitchen when a lightsaber struck me directly in the mouth. One of my front teeth are a little loose. Do I need to see an emergency dentist?

Elaine F. – Birmingham, AL

Elaine,

I guess that’s better than a blaster, unless a storm trooper was behind the gun, because they rarely hit their targets anyway.  You’ll want to go in to have a dentist look at the tooth fairly soon. It’s likely just the ligament was stretched, but you want to make sure there’s not too much trauma.

They can stabilize the tooth while it heals. Most dentists make room in their schedule for last minute emergency appointments for cases like yours.

If your dentist doesn’t accomodate you and you’re concerned, there are dentists who will take non-established patients the same day in the case of emergeny.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.