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Act Quickly After a Dental Injury

A fall, sports injury, collision, or other accident can chip, fracture, loosen, displace, or completely knock out a tooth. Even when a tooth looks intact, trauma can damage the pulp or root and may cause problems months or years later. Prompt evaluation improves the chance of preserving the tooth.

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If a Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown—the white chewing portion—not by the root.

• If it is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing or removing attached tissue.

• If possible, place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in position. Do not replant a baby tooth.

• If it cannot be replanted, keep it moist in milk, an emergency tooth-preservation solution, or inside the mouth next to the cheek when safe. Do not store it in ordinary tap water for an extended period.

• Seek immediate dental care. The best chance of success occurs when treatment begins as quickly as possible, ideally within about 30 minutes.

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Other Types of Dental Trauma

Chipped or fractured teeth

Save any fragments and contact a dentist or endodontist. A small enamel fracture may need only a restoration, while a deeper fracture exposing the pulp may require specialized treatment.

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Displaced or loosened teeth

A tooth may be pushed inward, outward, sideways, or partially out of its socket. It often needs repositioning and stabilization. Do not delay evaluation even if bleeding or pain is limited.

 

Root fractures

A fracture can occur below the gumline and may not be visible. Treatment depends on its location and whether the tooth can be stabilized and maintained.

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Will the Tooth Need a Root Canal?

Not every injured tooth needs immediate root canal treatment. The pulp may recover, particularly in developing teeth. Other injuries interrupt the blood supply and lead to pulp necrosis. Follow-up examinations and radiographs are important because complications may appear after the initial injury.

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Protecting Teeth During Sports

A properly fitted mouthguard can reduce the risk and severity of dental injuries. Ask your dentist about a custom mouthguard for contact sports or activities with a meaningful risk of facial injury.

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Emergency Warning

Severe facial trauma, loss of consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding, breathing difficulty, or suspected jaw or neck injury requires emergency medical evaluation. Dental care should follow once immediate medical needs are addressed.

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Schedule an Evaluation

If you have tooth pain, swelling, a cracked tooth, dental trauma, or questions about a previous root canal, our endodontists can evaluate the problem and explain your treatment options. Same-day emergency appointments are often available.

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South County: (314) 894-5600   |   Festus: (636) 931-4020

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Clinically reviewed by the endodontists of Advanced Endodontics. This information is educational and does not replace an individual examination or diagnosis.