Tooth Disorders—Fractures

Also called: Broken bone

A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones. Overuse can cause stress fractures, which are very small cracks in the bone.

Symptoms of a fracture are

• Intense pain
• Deformity – the limb looks out of place
• Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the injury
• Numbness and tingling
• Problems moving a limb

You need to get medical care right away for any fracture. An x-ray can tell if your bone is broken. You may need to wear a cast or splint. Sometimes you need surgery to put in plates, pins or screws to keep the bone in place.

• Broken bone (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Closed reduction of a fractured bone (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Closed reduction of a fractured bone – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)

Your teeth are made of a hard, bonelike material. Inside the tooth are nerves and blood vessels. You need your teeth for many activities you may take for granted. These include eating, speaking and even smiling. But tooth disorders are nothing to smile about. They include problems such as cavities (also known as tooth decay), infections, and injuries.

The most familiar symptom of a tooth problem is a toothache. Others include worn-down or loose teeth. It’s important that you see a dentist if you have any problems with your teeth. Fortunately, you can prevent many tooth disorders by taking care of your teeth and keeping them clean.

• Amelogenesis imperfecta (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Broken or knocked out tooth (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bruxism (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dental crowns (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Impacted tooth (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Root canal (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tooth – abnormal colors (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tooth abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Toothaches (Medical Encyclopedia)