Car accidents can cause serious injuries, and that can include damage to your teeth. If you notice a chipped or damaged tooth after you have been involved in an accident, you should seek treatment just as you would with any other injury. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you have a dental injury after a car accident so you can restore your smile.

Immediately After The Accident

Seek treatment at a local hospital, even if you have no other visible injuries except those to your teeth. You may have other injuries that can go unnoticed, and it is important to have a doctor examine you. The treating physician may prescribe pain medication as well as recommend treatment at home, such as applying ice to the injury. Serious car accidents can sometimes result in fractures to the jaw or tooth loss. An oral surgeon at the hospital may decide to do emergency oral surgery to repair serious damage. If you experience bleeding that won't stop, if a tooth falls out or if you notice a change in color in your tooth, go back to the emergency medical facility for immediate treatment.

Follow Up With Your Dentist

While dental trauma can be treated at an emergency room, you should follow up with your dental care provider. Explain what happened and request a thorough examination. Your dentist may offer suggestions for repairing the damage, which can include cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you had oral surgery after the accident, your dentist can create a plan for aftercare and a timeline for when cosmetic surgery procedures can be completed. Tooth bonding, dental implants, and veneers are all options for restoring the beauty of your smile after a car accident.

Dealing With Insurance

Depending on the type of car insurance you have and the details of the accident, you may be able to have the costs of your emergency and cosmetic dental work covered. Be sure to keep copies of all your bills, payments and medical records to help when filing a claim. If your insurance doesn't include cover medical costs, you may need to hire an attorney to file a suit against the other driver. Your attorney can help you recover the cost of the dental procedures and may be able to get extra money for your pain and suffering.

Restoring your smile after a car accident is important for your health and your self esteem. Work with your cosmetic dentist to create a plan to restore your smile, and make sure you seek any damages you are entitled to as a result of your accident. You don't have to suffer with broken or damaged teeth because of an accident.

To learn more, contact a dental office like Bristol Dental Group.