919-381-5900 Teeth are secured very tightly into their sockets with the help of a series of very strong periodontal ligaments. As secure as your teeth are, there are unfortunate times when an accidental fall or a blow to the face can knock out a tooth. This is even more likely if you participate in contact sports without wearing a quality mouthguard.
If one of your teeth is knocked out, there are a few things our Bull City Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Debora Bolton DDS team recommends that you do to manage the situation or improve your chances of having a successful restoration.
If you have blood or debris in your mouth, you can rinse them away and soothe the injured tissues with lukewarm saltwater. This will help you get a clear view of the damage to your mouth.
It might be possible for your dentist, Dr. Debora Bolton, to successfully implant a knocked-out tooth back into its socket. However, for this to be possible, the tooth needs to have been cleanly knocked out of the socket and the tooth still needs to be alive.
You can keep the tooth alive by holding it between your cheek and gums. There is also a tooth-preservation product sold in stores. To use it, you simply place the knocked-out tooth in the jar and seal it. The nourishing gel inside will keep it alive long enough for the dentist to assess the situation and attempt implantation.
If any part of the tooth or the root is still lodged in the socket, the dentist will most likely have to extract the remainder of the knocked-out tooth. Sometimes our Bull City Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Debora Bolton DDS team can perform a root canal to restore the tooth. If it must be extracted, we can restore the knocked-out tooth later with a dental implant or bridge.
If one of your teeth has been knocked out in Durham, North Carolina, you should call Bull City Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Debora Bolton DDS immediately at 919-381-5900 to schedule an appointment.