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How a Dentist Can Save Your Tooth After a Knock or Knockout

Posted on December 23, 2024

As kids, we were all excited about gifts from the tooth fairy whenever we lost our teeth. But accidentally knocking out an adult tooth can be traumatic and heartbreaking. A knocked-out permanent tooth is a veritable dental emergency in Vaughan! Kids often get hurt during everyday play or contact sports and dislodge a permanent tooth. Adults and teens can also accidentally lose a tooth. Thankfully, a reliable dentist in Woodbridge can splint and possibly save the tooth if you get there fast enough. So immediately contact Mackenzie Dental Centre for expert emergency dental care! Here’s what to do right after the injury and how your trusted dental professional can save the day! 

Immediate Steps for Knocked-Out Teeth

dentist in woodbridgeSplinting and attaching the knocked-out tooth within five minutes to an hour can possibly save your tooth. “Quick response time and correct handling are critical for tooth survival,” stresses Dr.Llyod Pedvis, Mackenzie Dental Centre. Chances for tooth survival decrease If a tooth is outside the mouth for sixty minutes or more.

  • Check the tooth: Double-check the tooth to see whether your child has lost a milk tooth or a permanent one. Milk tooth need not be reattached—you’ll have to wait for the adult tooth to erupt. However, if you’ve knocked out a permanent tooth, you’ll need to look for it immediately! Finding it and correctly storing the dislodged tooth can make all the difference!
  • Handle with care: Hold the dislodged tooth by the top portion (crown) and avoid touching the root as they contain periodontal ligaments required for proper healing. 
  • Cleaning the tooth: Gently rinse the tooth with water or cold milk if dirty—no scrubbing or soaping! Also, don’t wipe or wrap it in a paper towel or cloth. 
  • Reinsert or store properly: Putting a knocked-out tooth back in its socket gives it a fighting chance of survival. Gently reinsert the clean tooth into the empty tooth socket if it’s possible. But only do this if you can manage not to put pressure or swallow it! Otherwise, store the tooth in cold milk to keep the roots moist. Avoid storing the tooth in water—the tooth roots will not survive prolonged water exposure. 
  • Seek immediate dental care: Getting to an emergency dentist in Woodbridge within thirty to sixty minutes is the best bet for saving your knocked-out tooth.

Emergency Dental Treatment for Knocked-Out Teeth

A knocked-out or dislodged tooth is a dental emergency in Vaughan that requires urgent dental attention. Successful reattachment is possible only if the tooth is stored correctly and you get immediate dental care. The expert dentists at Mackenzie Dental Centre can assess the socket and the tooth condition to decide whether reimplantation is possible. Sometimes, an implant or bridge is a more viable option than reattaching the tooth. An experienced dentist in Woodbridge will know whether to attempt reimplantation or consider an artificial tooth. Reinserting a knocked-out tooth involves:

  • Irrigating the area: First, your dentist will gently irrigate the missing tooth socket to flush out any dirt or bacteria trapped inside. 
  • Reattaching the tooth: Your emergency dentist in Woodbridge will gently position the dislodged tooth back into the socket. The traumatized tooth will reattach and regenerate naturally if its root cells are undamaged. However, regeneration takes time, and your tooth will require support in the interim. Even a little pressure can again loosen and dislodge the tooth! Your dentist will put a temporary splint using a dental wire to attach the tooth to the adjacent teeth for stability. He may also use composite materials to pack and support the tooth.
  • Preventing infection & minimizing pain: Prompt treatment for any dental emergency in Vaugan reduces infection and complication risks. Preventing infection is vital to saving the tooth, and your dentist will prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and pain medication for the same. Timely dental care will also save the mouth and surrounding teeth from further trauma.
  • Follow-up care: Your dentist in Woodbridge will also monitor the tooth’s healing process with regular follow-ups for a few weeks. He’ll check for infections and signs of any root damage, taking timely action for a successful reattachment. Sometimes, you may need additional therapies like a root canal to preserve the knocked-out tooth.

Above all, stay calm and follow the above tips to better your chances of a successful tooth reattachment!

Mackenzie Dental Centre for Expert Emergency Dental Care

Seeking prompt care for knocked-out teeth and carefully storing the dislodged tooth can help your dentist preserve your smile. Trust the expertise of Dr.Llyod Pedvis and his expert team at Mackenzie Dental Centre for your dental difficulties! Our dental experts promise quick and reliable care for any dental emergency in Vaughan and Woodbridge. With state-of-the-art facilities and seasoned dentists, Mackenzie Dental Centre is your go-to for urgent dental attention. So don’t wait! Contact our dental experts, and we’ll restore your stunning smile to its full glory.

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