Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate action. Quick and proper steps can significantly improve the chances of saving the tooth and preventing long-term complications. Knowing what to do right away helps protect the tooth, surrounding tissue, and overall oral health.
We care for growing smiles in Frisco, McKinney, and Prosper, TX with gentle, kid-focused dental care.
Table of Contents
What To Do Immediately If A Tooth Is Knocked Out
An avulsed tooth requires immediate action. In many cases, the tooth can be reinserted successfully if handled properly within a short time.
Take these steps right away:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root
- Gently rinse the tooth if it is dirty. Do not scrub or remove tissue attached to the root
- Try to place the tooth back into the tooth socket if possible
- If reinsertion is not possible, store it in milk or saline solution or the inside of the cheek
- Seek dental care immediately
The longer the tooth remains out of the mouth, the lower the chance of successful reattachment. Keeping the tooth moist helps preserve these cells until treatment. The best outcomes typically occur when the tooth is reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes.
Treatment For Avulsed Tooth
Treatment depends on how quickly the patient arrives and how the tooth was handled.
Your dentist may:
- Reinsert the tooth into the socket
- Stabilize it with a flexible splint
- Evaluate surrounding bone, periodontal ligament and soft tissue
- Recommend root canal treatment in some cases
Follow-up visits are important to monitor healing and check for complications such as infection or root resorption.
What Happens If The Tooth Cannot Be Saved?
If the tooth cannot be reimplanted, replacement options are considered to restore function and appearance.
These may include:
- Dental implants
- Dental bridge
- Dental flipper
- Temporary prosthetic options
Treatment planning depends on age, oral health, and bone development.
Emergency Dental Care For Tooth Injuries
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry reserves space in the daily schedule for emergency appointments for patients who are registered at the office. This allows dental injuries to be evaluated as soon as possible, especially in situations where timing is critical.
During an emergency visit, the tooth, surrounding bone, and soft tissue are carefully examined. Digital Xrays may also be used to determine whether the tooth can be reinserted and to guide the next steps in treatment.
If a dental injury occurs after hours, call the office and follow the prompts on the answering machine. This will provide instructions and help connect you with appropriate guidance for urgent dental care.
Emergency Pediatric Dentist in McKinney, TX
If you are a registered patient at our McKinney location, call (214) 436-5555 or visit us at 5323 W University Dr #100, McKinney, Texas.
📍 Other locations
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Frisco, TX
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX
FAQs
Keep the tooth in a clean container filled with cow’s milk, saline solution or saliva. It should not be stored dry or in a paper towel. If none of these things are available, have your child store the tooth in the inside of the cheek until they are seen. This should only be considered if they are old enough to know not to swallow it.
If a permanent tooth cannot be saved, temporary options such as a removable appliance or bonded bridge may be used. A dental implant is often considered later, once jaw growth is complete.
Delays reduce the chance of saving the tooth. The supporting cells may die, making reattachment less likely.