When you suddenly lose a tooth, it’s easy to panic.
“Oh no, my tooth just came out!”
“I need to find it and get to a dentist right away.”
“But wait, the dentist is closed today…”
“What if I swallow it accidentally while I’m sleeping?”
And before you know it, you’re staring at the tooth in your hand, feeling helpless.
This panicked spiral tends to hit some people more than others when facing an unexpected dental issue. What makes it worse is how quickly the feelings of being lost and confused can escalate once groups get involved – like when you start telling friends and family and everyone has a different strong opinion on what to do.
That’s why having a clear, simple plan is so valuable.
So, what to do?
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. There is an easy temporary tooth fix.
Temporary Tooth Fix: What to Do
- Find the tooth and gently rinse it off if dirty. The first step is locating the dislodged tooth. Search carefully and pick it up by the crown (top part), avoiding the root. Gently rinse with milk, saliva or water if dirty, being careful not to remove any attached tissue fragments.
- Attempt replantation if it’s a permanent tooth. You can attempt to replant it yourself temporarily. To do this, hold it by the crown and then push it back into the socket as straight as possible until held in place by a light bite.
- If you can’t replant it, store it properly. Place the tooth in a container with a storage solution like milk, saline, or the patient’s own saliva. Avoid letting it dry out.
- See a dentist quickly, ideally within 30 minutes. Call ahead for emergency availability.
- Don’t attempt DIY remedies. While waiting for the dentist, avoid any risky DIY tooth repair remedies you may find online. Temporary self-replantation is ok, but leave permanent measures to the professionals.
Why Prompt Tooth Emergency Fixes are Critical
Within the first 30 minutes of a permanent tooth being avulsed (knocked completely out), the periodontal ligament cells that attach it to the bone socket are still alive, giving dentists a window to potentially splint and save the tooth long-term by replanting it.
After two hours without being stored properly, however, those ligament cells typically become non-viable. While it may still be possible to reinsert the tooth, it will require much more invasive treatment like root canal therapy, and the long-term prognosis is poorer.
For baby teeth that fall out naturally, there is less urgency, as the body will simply have the adult tooth replace it eventually. But for adult teeth, quick action gives you the best chance at restoring full form and function.
What to Expect at the Dentist After a Temporary Tooth Fix
- Examination and X-Rays Your dentist will thoroughly examine the area, take x-rays, and assess the re-creatability of the tooth based on factors like the way it was dislodged, if the root is intact, how long it was out of the mouth, and the condition you stored it in.
- Cleaning and Treatment
If replantation is viable, the tooth will be cleaned, sterilized, and carefully replanted into the socket, usually anchored in place with a splint for a few weeks while new periodontal ligament fibers regenerate. - Root Canal Therapy For teeth that were out too long or had extensive damage to the inner pulp, root canal treatment is generally recommended within a few weeks. This involves removing the pulp and disinfecting and sealing the inner chambers.
- Monitoring and Recovery After replanting, your dentist will monitor the tooth’s condition over several months via exams and x-rays, looking for signs of reattachment and new bone growth. Any splints will eventually be removed once stable.
- Restoration and Aftercare In many cases, the replanted tooth will need a permanent restoration like a crown to fully restore form and function. Diligent homecare like brushing, flossing, and avoiding biting on hard foods will be critical for long-term success.
Risks and Possible Complications After a Temporary Tooth Fix
While the prospects for saving a knocked-out tooth are good with prompt treatment, some risks and complications can occur:
- Ankylosis – This is the resorption of the root surface into the bone, resulting in eventual tooth loss as surrounding bone replaces it over time.
- Resorption – Parts of the root structure may resorb and dissolve away due to lack of blood supply and improper reattachment.
- Tooth Discoloration – The lack of a vital blood supply can turn the tooth darker over time.
- Gum Sensitivity/Recession – The gum area around the replanted tooth may recede or become sensitive.
- Root Canal Complications – If root canal treatment is required, risks like infection or fracture of the inner tooth can occur.
Your dentist will discuss all potential risks and outline what signs to watch for to ensure the replanted tooth has the best long-term prognosis.
Why See a Dentist Immediately
In reviewing all of this, one key takeaway should be clear: getting to a general dentist quickly gives you by far the best shot at saving a knocked-out permanent tooth long-term.
You may encounter well-meaning advice on temporary dental solutions that you should try like using gels, waxes, adhesives, or even implanting the tooth into the gums or roof of your mouth. While some of these temporary tooth fix techniques may seem to “work” temporarily, they carry enormous infection risks and make the tooth much harder to treat properly down the road.
Likewise, waiting too long before seeking professional treatment drastically reduces the chances of a good outcome. That periodontal ligament is only viable for about 30 minutes. Improperly storing the tooth by letting it dry out or exposing it to damaging substances can also ruin replantation possibilities.
In short – don’t take chances with something as irreplaceable as your natural teeth. Get to a skilled dentist or endodontist immediately for the replantation procedure and proper follow-up care. It’s your best path to quickly recovering full dental health.
Contact Us
If you have a dislodged tooth, it is possible to replant it back. But the chances of successfully saving your tooth rests on your ability to reach out to a qualified dentist as soon as possible. Call us immediately at (713)-364-1985 to ensure that you get the help that you need.
