A knocked out tooth must be treated immediately! An avulsed tooth can often be re-implanted but the longer the tooth is out the greater the chance of failure. Keep it clean but do not wash or place anything on it. The emergency dentist will clean the tooth before reinserting the root back in place. Be sure the dentist knows that you're coming and let the receptionist know you have arrived.

          The knocked out tooth is alive but the tissue inside no longer has a blood supply to keep it healthy. Placing the tooth in a cup of crushed ice until you get to a dentist can help keep the tooth alive. Do not place water in the ice. Call a dentist who offers dental emergency services and explain the situation so that the dentist can prepare for your arrival. Keep calling until you reach someone who can see you. Most emergency room physicians do not do tooth reimplantation. However, if there is a serious injury, you may have to go the Emergency Room first.

          The longer you wait to re-implant a knocked out tooth, the worse the chances of success. When you arrive for your emergency dental care, let the front staff know your situation. The dentist will numb the area where the tooth belongs so that you will be comfortable and after cleaning the evulsed tooth, will insert it back into the socket. After carefully aligning and checking the bite, dental composite is used to bond the tooth to the sides of the adjacent teeth. This has to be done or the tooth could fall out again. The patient is placed on antibiotics to help fight a possible tooth infection and the patient returns in 6 weeks, and again in six months, to reevaluate the procedure.

          A knocked out tooth often dies and needs a root canal but very often the dental ligament around the tooth regrows and reattaches. In many cases, the patient can often keep the natural tooth a lifetime. Because the tooth often becomes a dark tooth, a dental crown is generally needed after the tooth has successfully grown back. Dr. Padolsky is an Atlanta Emergency Dentist who enjoys helping patients. He practices with the Atlanta Dental Group PC which is a dental emergency office. The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. For an appointment with our Georgia Cosmetic Dentist, call 404-874-7428