By Dr. Shawn Hlavaty, DDS · Hlavaty Dental Arts, Santa Barbara, CA
Time is critical. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved if you act within 30 minutes. Call (805) 564-3600 immediately.
Knocking out a tooth is one of the most alarming dental emergencies — but it doesn't have to mean losing that tooth permanently. With the right actions in the first few minutes, there's a real chance your dentist can reimplant it successfully.
Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Stay calm and find the tooth
Pick up the tooth carefully. Hold it by the crown — the white part you normally see in your mouth — not by the root. The root contains delicate cells that are essential for reimplantation, and handling it incorrectly can damage them beyond repair.
Step 2: Do not scrub or dry the tooth
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very gently under clean water for no more than 10 seconds. Do not scrub it, wrap it in a cloth or tissue, or let it dry out. Keeping the root cells moist and intact is the most important thing you can do.
Step 3: Try to reinsert the tooth
If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket and hold it there with light pressure. Bite down softly on a clean cloth to keep it in place while you get to the dentist. This is the ideal scenario — a tooth back in its socket has the best chance of survival.
If reinsertion isn't possible (for example, if the patient is a child or too distressed), move to Step 4.
Step 4: Keep the tooth moist
If you can't reinsert the tooth, it must stay wet until you reach the dentist. The best options in order of preference are:
Do not store the tooth in tap water for an extended period — the chemicals can damage the root cells. Milk is the far better option.
Step 5: Call your dentist immediately
Call Hlavaty Dental Arts at (805) 564-3600 right away. We reserve time each day for dental emergencies and will do everything we can to see you immediately. The faster you get to us, the better the odds of saving the tooth.
If the injury happened outside of office hours, call our office for after-hours instructions. For facial trauma, significant swelling, or difficulty breathing, go to the nearest emergency room first.
What happens at the dental office?
When you arrive, Dr. Hlavaty will assess the tooth and the socket. If reimplantation is possible, the tooth will be carefully repositioned and stabilized with a splint — a small wire or composite material that holds the tooth in place while it heals over the next few weeks.
Not every knocked-out tooth can be saved. Factors like how long the tooth was out, how it was stored, and the extent of any root damage all play a role. But acting quickly gives you the best possible chance.
What if the tooth can't be saved?
If the tooth can't be reimplanted or doesn't heal successfully, you still have excellent options. A dental implant is the gold standard for replacing a knocked-out tooth — it looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth and can last a lifetime with proper care.
Dr. Hlavaty specializes in dental implants and will walk you through the replacement process if needed.
Can this happen with a baby tooth?
If a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not try to reimplant it. Reinserting a baby tooth can actually damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Instead, keep the child calm, control any bleeding with gentle pressure, and call your dentist. The dentist will monitor the area to make sure the permanent tooth develops normally.
How to prevent knocked-out teeth
Many dental emergencies are preventable. Here's how to reduce the risk:
At Hlavaty Dental Arts, we can create a custom-fitted sports mouthguard that offers far better protection than over-the-counter options. Ask us about it at your next visit.
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved after an hour?
It becomes much more difficult after 30 minutes, and very unlikely after an hour — but not impossible if the tooth has been kept properly moist. Always call your dentist regardless of how much time has passed. Some teeth have been successfully reimplanted hours later.
Does reimplanting a tooth hurt?
The area will be numbed before the procedure, so you won't feel pain during reimplantation. There may be some soreness during the healing period, which is managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
What if only part of the tooth broke off?
A chipped or broken tooth where the root is still intact is a different situation. It still warrants a same-day call to your dentist, but is generally less urgent than a fully knocked-out tooth. Save any broken pieces and bring them with you.
Dental emergency in Santa Barbara? We're here.
Call Hlavaty Dental Arts at (805) 564-3600. We reserve same-day appointments for dental emergencies and are ready to help.
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