Rebuilding your smile after an accident or injury
A sudden dental injury — from sport, a road accident, a fall, or an assault — can leave you with teeth that are cracked, missing, or significantly damaged. This guide explains what reconstruction looks like, what the options are, and how to approach the process.
A note
This guide is for patients planning longer-term reconstruction after the immediate emergency has passed. If your injury happened recently, start with our emergency guidance first.
Emergency guidanceWhat "reconstruction" actually means
Dental reconstruction after trauma is not a single treatment. It is a planned sequence of care designed to restore both the function and appearance of teeth that have been damaged or lost. For some patients this means one or two crowns. For others who have suffered more extensive injury, it can involve implants, bone grafting, multiple restorations, and carefully coordinated treatment over several months.
The starting point is always a thorough assessment — X-rays, photographs, and an honest conversation about what is possible, what is realistic, and what the timeline looks like before any treatment begins.
Who this applies to
Rugby, cricket, hockey, boxing, martial arts, cycling — contact and collision sport accounts for a significant proportion of dental trauma cases.
Even minor RTAs can cause significant dental damage. Airbag deployment in particular is a common cause of front tooth injury.
Falls, impacts from equipment, or collision with objects during recreational activity.
Facial and dental injury from assault is more common than many people realise. We treat all cases sensitively and can provide clinical documentation if required for any legal process.
Patients who have had implants or bridges placed elsewhere that have since failed — and who need reconstruction planned from scratch.
The treatment options
Which treatments are appropriate depends on the number and position of affected teeth, the condition of the surrounding bone and gum, and how long ago the injury occurred.
Dental implants
The closest thing to a permanent replacement for a missing tooth. A titanium post is placed in the jaw bone, which fuses over several months, and a crown is placed on top. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth. They do not require neighbouring teeth to be prepared. Typically 3–9 months from placement to final crown.
Crowns
A crown — sometimes called a cap — is placed over a tooth that has been severely cracked, fractured, or otherwise damaged but where the root is still sound. Modern all-ceramic crowns are indistinguishable from natural teeth. Usually completed in two appointments over two to three weeks.
Bridges
A bridge replaces a missing tooth by anchoring to the teeth on either side. It is a faster solution than an implant and does not require surgery. However, it does require the adjacent teeth to be prepared. Usually completed in two to three appointments over three to four weeks.
Composite bonding and veneers
For teeth that are chipped, fractured at the edge, or discoloured by trauma but otherwise intact, composite bonding or porcelain veneers can restore the appearance with minimal tooth preparation. Composite bonding often in a single appointment; veneers over two to three weeks.
Bone grafting
When a tooth has been missing for some time, the surrounding bone can resorb. Before an implant can be placed, a bone graft may be needed to regenerate the lost bone. This adds three to six months to the overall timeline but makes implants possible in cases where they would otherwise not be viable.
What happens at the consultation
The first appointment is a Trauma Reconstruction Consultation. It involves a full examination of the affected teeth and surrounding structures, X-rays, and photographs. By the end, you will have a clear written treatment plan — what is recommended, in what order, with indicative costs and a realistic timeline.
Nothing is started at this appointment without your explicit consent. The aim is to give you a complete picture before you make any decisions — not to pressure you into treatment you are not ready for.
If you are in pain, we will address that first. Comfort comes before planning.
Insurance and personal injury claims
If your dental injury was caused by someone else — in a road accident, workplace incident, or assault — you may be entitled to have the cost of treatment covered as part of a personal injury claim. In many cases, this means the full cost of reconstruction is met by an insurer or the liable party's legal representatives.
Park Dental Care can provide the clinical documentation that solicitors and insurers require — including written injury reports, photographs, and detailed treatment cost breakdowns. This is a standard part of the personal injury claims process, and we are experienced in providing it.
Sports insurance policies also frequently cover dental injury. It is worth checking your policy or speaking with your club welfare officer — many players are covered and do not realise it.
Important: We provide dental clinical documentation only — we cannot provide legal advice. If you are considering a personal injury claim, speak with a solicitor. We are happy to liaise directly with legal teams as part of that process.
Finance options
If you are funding reconstruction yourself, 0% and extended payment plans are available for most treatment types. A Trauma Reconstruction Consultation will include a clear cost breakdown, and our patient coordinator can walk you through the finance options before any treatment begins.