A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency and always requires immediate medical attention. But can a knocked-out tooth be put back in? Please read our article to learn the answer to this question and tips on what to do if your tooth gets knocked out.
Can a Knocked-Out Tooth Be Put Back In?
Often, a permanent tooth completely knocked out from its socket can be put back, providing that swift action is taken. However, in most cases, baby teeth are not replanted. If a permanent tooth is adequately put back within the first 30 to 60 minutes after the incident, it has a chance of surviving and subsequently healing, becoming stable in its socket again.
When you arrive at an emergency dental office, your doctor will sterilize the tooth before placing it back in the socket. In some cases, a root canal procedure will be required if your dentist suspects that the tissue in the socket will not be able to reconnect with the tooth without it. This can happen for various reasons, such as if the tooth has been out of its socket for a more extended period.
After the tooth is replanted, it will need to be stabilized and secured. To do so, your dentist will most likely attach it to the surrounding teeth with a wire or a composite splint. You will have to keep a wire or a splint in place for several days. Throughout the healing time, you will visit your dentist for an evaluation of the process.
In general, it can take 4 to 8 weeks for a knocked-out tooth to reattach to the jawbone and heal completely. The time depends on whether the surrounding tissue and the jawbone were also damaged in the accident.
What to Do if Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out?
When your tooth gets knocked out, you must first make sure that it is stored properly. Within the first five minutes after the accident, put your tooth in a clean container filled with milk or saliva. If the tooth is soiled, you can also carefully rinse it with milk.
Another option for storing a knocked-out tooth on your way to the dental office is to put it in your mouth between your cheek and gums after rinsing it with milk. However, you should take extra care not to swallow the tooth to avoid losing it and choking.
If you are certain the tooth is clean, you can attempt putting it back in its socket. The tooth will not heal without medical attention, but putting it in the socket might increase its chances of survival.
You can also use a tooth preservation kit from a nearby pharmacy or drugstore. Try to avoid using water to clean your knocked-out tooth, and do not soak or store it in water.
If possible, avoid using water to clean your knocked-out tooth, and do not soak or store it in water. Take care not to touch the roots of the tooth and hold it only by the crown.
Remember that the goal is to keep the tooth moist on the way to the dental office. Do not wrap your tooth in cloth or paper tissue, and do not clean it using such materials.
If you experience bleeding, apply a piece of clean, wet gauze to the area and gently bite down. You can also place an ice pack on the outer side of your cheek to relieve pain and swelling. Do not hold the ice pack to your cheek for longer than 15 minutes at a time, and take at least 30-minute breaks between applications.
Other Types of Dental Emergencies
Other types of oral injuries can qualify as emergencies and require immediate treatment at a dental office or emergency room.
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- A tooth broken at the gumline
- A dislodged tooth (a tooth that is still in its socket but feels loose)
- A broken or dislocated jaw
- Lacerations in the mouth
- A strong impact to the face without immediately apparent dental damage (the impact might have affected the nerves of the teeth and blood vessels within the gums, which can lead to tooth loss in the future)
Visit Glendora Family Dentistry
If your tooth has been knocked out or you have sustained any other type of dental injury, do not hesitate to contact the emergency dentist in Glendora immediately. We look forward to helping you restore your dental health.
