Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Care from an Orthodontist After an Accident

If you have been in an accident and sustained injuries, it’s always in your best interest to seek medical care. If you have sustained a dental injury, your first step should be to urgent care. An orthodontist may be accessed for a number of reasons. If you are an orthodontist patient wearing an appliance that was damaged or incurred injuries, your orthodontist can provide you with the treatment that you need. Additionally, an orthodontist may provide treatment to accident victims who have experienced severe dental injuries. As an accident victim, experiencing dental issues in addition to the other injuries you may have experienced can be complicated. You may be unsure of who to turn to for treatment for dental injuries. However, it may be a good idea to access an orthodontist with experience in treating accident victims. 

What is an Orthodontist?

An orthodontist provides patients with a specialized type of dental care. This type of specialist requires more education than that of a dentist. Generally, an orthodontist provides treatment for specific dental issues. Orthodontists treat:

  • Overcrowding
  • Overbites
  • Underbites
  • Crossbites
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Misaligned jaw

Additionally, some orthodontists may provide emergency care to those who have been injured in an accident. While accidents happen in various ways, the injuries a victim may experience can be vast. An orthodontist may assist by providing treatment to accident victims whose injuries impact the jaw or alignment of the teeth. 

What types of dental injuries might I suffer in an accident? 

There are a number of ways that you may have been injured. It’s not uncommon to obtain dental injuries from an accident. However, in some cases, you may have experienced other injuries, which may be necessary to treat prior to obtaining dental care. Despite this, whenever possible it’s important to obtain treatment for dental injuries as soon as possible to ensure optimal results. An orthodontist may be needed to treat poor anterior teeth or trauma to the jaw, such as:

  • Teeth that have been displaced due to trauma
  • Patients who were wearing an appliance that needs to be repaired or replaced
  • Correct spacing when teeth are missing due to an accident
  • Replace missing teeth
  • Orthodontic rehabilitative treatment for maxillary mandibular fracture

How soon should I seek treatment from an orthodontist?
If you have experienced dental trauma that requires treatment from an orthodontist, it’s a good idea to seek treatment as soon as possible. Depending upon your injuries, time may be of the essence. In some cases, the sooner you obtain treatment the higher the probability that you will receive optimal treatment. However, in some cases, it may not be possible to seek an orthodontist right away, especially if you have other injuries that must be treated first. 

How can an orthodontist help should I pursue an accident claim with the responsible party?

Seeking medical care is essential in the wake of an accident, especially in the event that you choose to move forward with an accident claim against the liable party. While obtaining treatment is key to ensuring that you receive proper care following an accident, it can help to link your injuries to the accident that you fell victim to. Additionally, treatment from an orthodontist, like an orthodontist in San Clemente, CA, can assist as your practitioner will be able to provide you and your lawyer with medical documentation outlining the treatment you received after the accident. This can help when proving that the responsible party is liable for the damages you are facing.

Experiencing an accident that has resulted in dental injuries, may not only be painful, but can impact your physical appearance. This can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem and confidence. If your injury requires treatment from an orthodontist, it’s important that you act fast to ensure that you obtain optimal results. Additionally, taking action quickly will be beneficial should you choose to take legal action against the liable party. 

Thanks to John Redmond Orthodontics for their insight into what kind of care you might need after an accident that affects your teeth. 

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