Knocked-out tooth. To the rescue - replantation
We only have about 30-60 minutes to save a knocked-out tooth. To save it, or rather to attempt to set it back in its place in such a way that the body can take on the challenge of replantation. This is a process during which the knocked-out tooth is placed back into the bone structure, and if we meet a few important conditions beforehand, the tooth will be able to serve us again.
Procedures in the event of a knocked-out tooth:
Do not touch the root of the tooth;
If dirty, gently rinse it (for 10 seconds) under running water – NEVER use alcohol, soap, or toothpaste for this purpose - these substances can remove fibroblasts from the root, which are connective tissue cells that act like glue securing the teeth to the bone;
Put the tooth (if possible) back into the socket, gently biting on a tissue or a small dressing for about 15 minutes;
If it is not possible to place it back, the tooth should remain in the mouth, in the pocket between the teeth and the cheek;
If it is not possible to put the tooth back in its place or in the mouth, it can be placed in milk or saline;
Do not store the tooth in pure water or in a dry environment;
Go to the dentist (preferably an oral surgeon) as soon as possible.
Remember that every minute is worth its weight in gold. The longer a knocked-out tooth remains outside its natural environment, the more likely the periodontal fibers are to die, leading to the root fusing with the bone.
In the dental office, after verifying whether the tooth is suitable for replantation (digital X-ray, optical microscope), it is inserted into the socket and immobilized with a special fiberglass splint or wire retention. The tooth should take root again within 2 to 4 weeks from the moment of the accident. The effectiveness of the procedure is verified by follow-up dental visits and X-rays taken after 2-3 weeks, 3 months, and then after another 6 months. The dental splint should usually be worn for about 7-10 days. It is very important to consume food in a soft (pureed) form for 2-3 weeks after the reimplantation procedure. Equally important is maintaining proper oral hygiene by using anti-inflammatory and disinfectant mouthwashes.
And what about a knocked-out baby tooth?
We all know that these are only temporary teeth, which is why most dentists do not recommend replanting baby teeth, as a potential infection could damage the permanent tooth waiting to grow in. However, it is advisable to urgently take the child to the dentist to verify if any tooth remnants are left in the gum and to visit an orthodontist, who will ensure that the new, permanent tooth grows properly in place of the knocked-out baby tooth.
How to effectively protect your teeth from being knocked out?
If we belong to a group exposed to such cases (for example, practicing combat sports or team sports requiring great strength and frequent contact – hockey, rugby), it is worth getting special mouthguards. A dentist can order a dental impression to be taken and then send it to a laboratory, which, based on this, will make an individual, precisely fitted mouthguard matching our teeth.
