Toggle navigation
Wikle Family Dental
3900 Douglas Way Lake Oswego, OR 97035(503) 636-8446
  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Twitter

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love

Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love

By Wikle Family Dental
November 11, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   dental injury  
DentalInjuryIsJustaTemporarySetbackforBasketballStarKevinLove

The March 27th game started off pretty well for NBA star Kevin Love. His team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, were coming off a 5-game winning streak as they faced the Miami Heat that night. Less than two minutes into the contest, Love charged in for a shot on Heat center Jordan Mickey—but instead of a basket, he got an elbow in the face that sent him to the floor (and out of the game) with an injury to his mouth.

In pictures from the aftermath, Love’s front tooth seemed clearly out of position. According to the Cavs’ official statement, “Love suffered a front tooth subluxation.” But what exactly does that mean, and how serious is his injury?

The dental term “subluxation” refers to one specific type of luxation injury—a situation where a tooth has become loosened or displaced from its proper location. A subluxation is an injury to tooth-supporting structures such as the periodontal ligament: a stretchy network of fibrous tissue that keeps the tooth in its socket. The affected tooth becomes abnormally loose, but as long as the nerves inside the tooth and the underlying bone have not been damaged, it generally has a favorable prognosis.

Treatment of a subluxation injury may involve correcting the tooth’s position immediately and/or stabilizing the tooth—often by temporarily splinting (joining) it to adjacent teeth—and maintaining a soft diet for a few weeks. This gives the injured tissues a chance to heal and helps the ligament regain proper attachment to the tooth. The condition of tooth’s pulp (soft inner tissue) must also be closely monitored; if it becomes infected, root canal treatment may be needed to preserve the tooth.

So while Kevin Love’s dental dilemma might have looked scary in the pictures, with proper care he has a good chance of keeping the tooth. Significantly, Love acknowledged on Twitter that the damage “…could have been so much worse if I wasn’t protected with [a] mouthguard.”

Love’s injury reminds us that whether they’re played at a big arena, a high school gym or an outdoor court, sports like basketball (as well as baseball, football and many others) have a high potential for facial injuries. That’s why all players should wear a mouthguard whenever they’re in the game. Custom-made mouthguards, available for a reasonable cost at the dental office, are the most comfortable to wear, and offer protection that’s superior to the kind available at big-box retailers.

If you have questions about dental injuries or custom-made mouthguards, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries” and “Athletic Mouthguards.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • What you can Expect if You're Undergoing Implant Surgery
        • We may Need to Build up the Bone in Your Jaw before Implants
      • January (3)
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • How a New Approach to Treating Decay Could Benefit You
        • Address Your Teeth Grinding Habit Early to Avoid Potential Tooth Loss
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
        • Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
      • November (3)
        • Difficult or Not, Plaque Removal is Necessary for Stopping Gum Disease
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
        • Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
      • October (3)
        • Use These Techniques to Enjoy Healthy Foods Even with a Jaw Joint Disorder
        • Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • September (3)
        • Treatment Options to Keep Stress From Causing Dental Problems
        • New Advances Could Revolutionize Decay Treatment
        • Tell Your Dentist if You're Having a Shingles Outbreak
      • August (3)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
        • These 3 Tasks Show How Saliva is Amazing
      • July (3)
        • Home Whitening Kits are Safe and Effective, if Used the Right Way
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
      • June (3)
        • 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
        • Keep an Eye on the Jaw Bone After a Teenager's Tooth Loss
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
      • May (3)
        • Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
        • 4 Tips for Instilling Good Family Hygiene Habits
        • Increase Your Implant's Success Chances by Keeping Your Gums Healthy
      • April (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
      • March (3)
        • Why Bear a Chipped Tooth?
        • NSAIDs for Pain Management is Safe - if Used Properly
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • February (1)
        • Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
      • January (3)
        • Common Types of Tooth Injuries and How to Treat Them
        • Before we Extract That Problem Tooth, Let's Consider Saving it
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • 3 Surprising Foods That Could Help You Fight Tooth Decay
        • 3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Feel at Home at the Dentist
      • November (2)
        • 4 Things you Should do if Your Child Complains of a Toothache
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • October (3)
        • Those Red Patches on Your Tongue are Nothing to be Alarmed About
        • Can an App Help You Brush Your Teeth?
        • Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
      • September (2)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • Back-to-School Shopping...for Oral Health!
      • August (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • 4 Reasons Why a Home Whitening Kit Might not be Right for You
      • July (3)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • June (2)
        • Consider Bone Health When Deciding Between Implants and Dentures
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • May (2)
        • Gum Disease Could Affect More than Your Teeth and Gums
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • April (2)
        • Don't Let Smoking Increase Your Chances of Implant Failure
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • March (2)
        • Dental Implants: a Durable, Life-Like Solution for your Tooth Loss
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • February (2)
        • Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration with No-Prep Veneers
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (20)
  • mouthguard (1)
  • porcelain veneers (1)
  • teeth grinding (3)
  • dental implants (8)
  • gum disease (3)
  • oral hygiene (8)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • periodontal disease (1)
  • oral health (7)
  • orthodontics (1)
  • braces (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (4)
  • metal allergies (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • chipped tooth (4)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • geographic tongue (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (2)
  • tooth decay (5)
  • nutrition (3)
  • wisdom teeth (3)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • bulimia (1)
  • ibuprofen (1)
  • pain management (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • dental care (2)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • dental exam (1)
  • shingles (2)
  • saliva (1)
  • crowns (1)
  • stress (1)
  • tooth wear (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • fillings (1)
  • GERD (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • x-ray (1)
  • bone grafting (1)

Categories:

  • Dental Procedures (23)
  • Oral Health (40)

Our Location

3900 Douglas Way
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-8446

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:Closed
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Offices
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map