Digital dentistry for Hockey Players.

• Position: Prosthodontics - Brief article

Advances in digital dentistry now can be used rinkside to treat hockey injuries to the mouth, as most players want to "get back in the game," notes Frank J. Tuminelli, who served as the team dentist for the National Hockey League's New York Islanders for 10 years.

Even if you are not a pro athlete, having a tooth knocked out can be a scary experience. "Missing teeth should be replaced right away, not just to restore a smile, but to chew food properly, maintain jaw support, stabilize remaining teeth, and prevent bigger problems down the road, such as infection and loss of bone, as well as increased risk of disease," says Carl F. Driscoll, president of the American College of Prosthodontists, Chicago, III.

"It's far easier, cheaper, and better for your overall health to replace missing teeth immediately, according to research published in the Journal of Prosthodontics, which cites dozens of...