1
Reposition and check
The dentist cleans the socket, replants the tooth if you have not, and takes an X-ray to confirm it is seated and nothing is fractured.
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Knocked-Out Tooth: How To Save It in the Next 60 Minutes
When a whole tooth, root and all, is forced out of its socket, the clock starts. Replanted within 30 to 60 minutes, many adult teeth can be saved.
1-855-219-4656 Is a knocked-out tooth an emergency?
Yes, and it is one of the most time-critical ones. Call 1-855-219-4656 right now and say the tooth is out. The cells on the root surface begin to die within minutes of drying out, so the tooth needs to go back in, or into milk, immediately. If the injury also involved a blow to the head, loss of consciousness, or a possible jaw fracture, go to the emergency room first.
A tooth knocked out at a game, in a fall or by a car door feels final, but it often is not. The single biggest factor in whether it survives is how quickly it goes back in and how it was kept in the meantime. Read the steps above, then make the call.
What you will see and feel
- An empty socket that bleeds steadily for the first several minutes
- The whole tooth, including its pointed root, out of the mouth. A broken piece with no root is a different injury
- Swelling and bruising of the lip or gum around the gap
- Neighboring teeth that feel loose or sit at a new angle
- Numbness or tingling of the lip, which can happen when nerves in the area are bruised
This advice is for permanent teeth. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back, because pushing it in can damage the adult tooth forming underneath. The child still needs to be checked the same day.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white chewing part | Do not touch, scrub or dry the root |
| If it is dirty, rinse it for a few seconds in milk or saline | Do not use soap, tap water for more than a moment, or any disinfectant |
| Push it gently back into the socket facing the right way, then bite on a cloth to hold it | Do not force it if it will not seat. Store it instead |
| Store it in cold milk or between your cheek and gum if you cannot replant it | Do not wrap it in tissue or leave it dry. Dryness kills the root cells |
How the dentist saves the tooth
2
Splint it
A thin wire or resin splint bonds the tooth to its neighbors for about two weeks so the ligament can reattach.
3
Protect the nerve
Most replanted adult teeth need a root canal within a couple of weeks, because the blood supply is cut when the tooth comes out. A tetanus check is done if the wound was dirty.
Cost of treating a knocked-out tooth
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Root canal after replantation | $700–$1,500 |
| Crown if the tooth is later restored | $800–$2,000 |
| Extraction if the tooth cannot be saved | $150–$400 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Broken tooth repair, Emergency root canal, Pediatric emergency dentist.
Knocked-Out Tooth FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
How long can a knocked-out tooth survive outside the mouth?
Replanted within about 30 minutes, the outlook is good. After an hour dry, the root cells are mostly gone and long-term success drops sharply. Milk or saliva stretches that window, so store it properly and move fast.
Should I put the tooth back in myself?
If it is an adult tooth and you can do it gently, yes. Hold it by the crown, rinse briefly if dirty, seat it in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If it will not go in, keep it in milk and head to the dentist.
Can I store the tooth in water?
Avoid it. Plain water damages the root surface cells. Cold milk is the best household option. Saliva, by tucking the tooth inside your cheek, is the next best.
What if the tooth is a baby tooth?
Do not replant it. Bring the child and the tooth to a dentist the same day so the socket and the developing adult tooth can be checked. A space maintainer may be suggested later.
Will the tooth look and work normally afterward?
Often, yes, especially when replanted quickly. Some teeth darken or fuse to the bone over the years and eventually need replacing, so the dentist will monitor it at regular checkups.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: Mayo Clinic, Broken or knocked-out tooth, ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies. Editorial policy.
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