Ben and Gary Show - Episode 45

Dental Sports Injuries And Accidents

What To Do To Save The Tooth

Whether a parent, coach, teacher, or friend, you may be faced with a dental emergency. Here is what to do to save the tooth.

Broken tooth, nerve not exposed

A broken tooth with no nerve exposed may be saved. Head for your dentist with the injured person and, if possible, the broken piece.

The dentist may be able to bond the broken piece with the tooth or replace the missing part with a bonding material.

This is a good temporary solution for a child or young adult. Later, a more permanent restoration such as a veneer or a crown may be advised.

Broken tooth, nerve exposed.

A broken tooth with the nerve exposed is restored in the same way as a broken tooth without nerve damage. However, depending on how the tooth responds over time, a root canal may be advised.

Dislodged tooth

If a tooth is knocked loose from its socket, it still may be saved. If you are brave, move the tooth back into place immediately. See the dentist right away so he can stabilize it.

The stabilizing support stays in position for about four weeks. If supports stay in place too long, the tooth may fuse to the jaw bone and ultimately be lost. Do not fail to follow up with your dentist as advised.

Tooth completely knocked out

In the case of a tooth completely knocked out, pick it up by the enamel surface, keeping hands off the root surface. If available, rinse the tooth with saline. Put it back in position.

If no satisfactory rinse solution is available for transport, place the tooth under the injured person's tongue on the way to the dentist.

The time window for saving a knocked out tooth is short - about an hour. If the injured person has no other injury emergency, head straight for the dentist not to an emergency room.  Emergency rooms do not typically have a dentist available.