Sports Dentistry Services We Provide

Sports dentistry covers both prevention and repair, depending on where an athlete is in their season. We offer:

• Custom Athletic Mouthguards: Fitted to the individual's bite, unlike boil-and-bite versions.
• Chipped or Cracked Tooth Repair: Fixing damage from a collision, a stray elbow, or a fall.
• Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment: Time-sensitive care that can sometimes save the natural tooth.
• Jaw and Bite Evaluations: Checking for issues a hit may have caused beyond what's visible.
• Post-Injury Follow-Up: Monitoring a tooth over time after trauma, even if it looks fine at first.

We treat both the immediate injury and whatever protective step comes next.

Who Should Be Wearing a Mouthguard

Anyone playing a contact or collision sport - football, hockey, basketball, wrestling, even some cycling and skateboarding - benefits from a properly fitted mouthguard, not just the sports where it's required by league rules. Kids in growth spurts often need mouthguards refitted more often than adults, since a guard that fit last season can shift or feel loose the next. Parents near North Newark and Belleville frequently ask us about timing a fitting around the start of a new season rather than waiting until after an injury happens.

What to Do If a Tooth Gets Hurt Mid-Game

The first few minutes after a dental injury matter more than most people realize. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it's handled carefully and the athlete is seen quickly - sometimes within the hour. A chipped tooth that doesn't seem to hurt can still have hidden damage to the nerve, which is why we recommend a check-up even when pain isn't obvious right away. Athletes coming from Rutgers University–Newark or games near the Prudential Center are welcome to call ahead so we can prepare before they arrive.

A Common Misunderstanding About Mouthguards

Many parents assume a store-bought mouthguard offers the same protection as a custom one, as long as it fits in the mouth. In practice, a custom-fitted guard distributes impact more evenly and stays in place during a hit, while a generic one can shift, come loose, or fail to cover the back teeth where a lot of impact actually lands.

Why Newark Athletes and Families Choose Nova Dental

• Custom mouthguard fittings for kids, teens, and adults.
• Fast turnaround for injury evaluations during active seasons.
• Two Newark locations for fittings, refits, and emergency visits.
• Experience treating trauma across a range of contact sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often does a custom mouthguard need to be replaced?
   For growing kids, often once a year or whenever it starts feeling loose; adults can typically get several years from a well-maintained guard.
2. Is a knocked-out tooth from a sports injury always a lost cause?
   Not necessarily - if it's handled properly and the athlete is seen quickly, there's sometimes a real chance of saving the tooth.
3. Do I need to see a dentist after a minor chip that doesn't hurt?
   Yes, since some damage to the tooth's nerve isn't obvious right away and is easier to address before it becomes painful.

Playing a Contact Sport This Season?

Whether you need a custom mouthguard before the season starts or care after an injury, our Newark team is ready to help. Call 973-755-3500 / 973-604-1600 to schedule a visit.