Bizarre Dental Injuries That Happened to the Rich and Famous

by INRTA | July 3, 2023

Action film stars are no strangers to physical injuries. From minor slips to severe injuries, even the best precautions aren’t always able to prevent an accident. Still, these examples of the rich and famous losing their teeth can be a healthy reminder that accidents and injuries can happen to all of us, and dental emergencies can occur suddenly when you least expect it.

In The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Viggo Mortensen played Aragorn. While filming a fight scene for The Two Towers, Mortensen was hit in the face with a poorly aimed sword. His front tooth cracked. However, being a consummate professional, he simply picked the piece up and asked the crew to superglue it back into his mouth. He then continued with the scene.

Daniel Craig had two of his front teeth knocked out while filming Casino Royale, his first James Bond movie. Of course, the legendary James Bond can’t have a gap in his front teeth, so they flew Craig’s dentist in from London to replace Craig’s teeth as soon as possible.

Charlize Theron cracked two of her back teeth when training for her role in Atomic Blonde. According to her, the teeth cracked because she was clenching them while she was fighting, and the injury required surgery before shooting could start.

Perhaps the most bizarre example of all is when, during the filming of the 1972 classic Deliverance (1972), screenwriter James Dickey and film director John Boorman got into an on-set fistfight. Dickey broke Boorman’s nose and knocked out some of his teeth.

 

What Should You Do If You Knock Out a Tooth?

Having a tooth knocked out of your mouth can be a serious injury. For one thing, the sockets will all require a root canal since the nerves and blood vessels cannot be restored. However, the teeth can reattach to the bone when you put them back in.

Although it’s easier to save a tooth for children than adults, it’s still possible.

If you should have a tooth knocked out, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible to avoid potential additional damage.

Follow these tips to increase the chances of saving a tooth:

• When handling the tooth, avoid getting your hands on the part of the tooth that would normally be under the gum because it can be very fragile and break. 
• To make sure the tooth stays clean, rinse it with milk or water.
• It is important to keep the tooth wet. If you can’t place it in milk, you can place it between your cheek and gum.
• Sometimes, the tooth can be slipped back into its socket. Make sure it’s facing the right way. If it doesn’t fit, be sure not to force it.
• No matter what, get to the dentist as soon as you can!

A tooth cracking or getting knocked out can hurt, but frequently the expense of a dental procedure is just as painful. Fortunately, your association and AMBA offer an excellent Dental Plan that covers many procedures and features low deductibles and high maximums. This plan lets you see out-of-network providers and gives even bigger savings when you see one of our 400,000+ nationwide in-network providers. Sign up now at www.AMBAdentalvision.com or call 866-979-0497.

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