Knocked Out Teeth and Saving Them
Teeth can be knocked out or broken in accidents, especially those involving sports. Our Los Angeles dentist can help you save a lost tooth if you follow these instructions.
A tooth which has been knocked out should be located if possible and handled carefully. Hold the tooth by the edge rather than the root end to avoid hurting sensitive structures. If you can push the tooth gently back into place, do so; otherwise, place the tooth in milk, rather than water or ice, and take it immediately to a dentist. The window of opportunity for replacing lost teeth successfully is short, often no more than two hours, so time is of the essence.
After a tooth has been replaced, further treatment is sometimes necessary. You may need a root canal treatment to repair the damaged tooth roots. A root canal can be performed about six weeks after a tooth has been replaced.
If the tooth is unable to be saved, you have several options. Dental crowns are an ideal solution for teeth which have been broken, because they will cover the tooth without the need for removal.
If a tooth has been completely knocked out and cannot be located or replaced, dental implants may be a good option. Implants are attached permanent to the jawbone, so there is no risk of them coming lose or losing them if the underlying tooth is beyond repair.
If you have lost several teeth, you may consider dental bridges, which are attached to remaining teeth to “bridge” the gap in your tooth line.
Our cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles is ready to assist you with all your dental needs, including lost or broken teeth.
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