Whenever a physical injury knocks out one of your teeth, it can be quite a surprise! While the pain of the event is understandably unnerving, you may wonder what steps to take when attempting to save your tooth. By knowing how to care for this situation ahead of time, you can remain calmer while seeking emergency dental services. Because time is of the essence when trying to return your tooth to its socket, having a plan in place can increase your odds of successful treatment. Therefore, please call your dentist right away, no matter the time of day to receive care and heal your mouth.
At your Prairie Village, KS dental practice, we are standing by to alleviate your pain and restore your bite in your time of need. Sudden injuries to your teeth do not always happen during regular business hours, and you may not be able to wait until morning to receive care. When you come in with a knocked-out tooth, we will attempt to restore it to its place in your bite. However, if this is not possible, we can provide a valuable restoration to prevent the complications that come with a missing tooth.
Preserving Your Missing Tooth
You must act fast when responding to this type of injury because the longer your tooth is out of your mouth, the less likely it will be able to return to stability. First, if you believe your injury to be life-threatening, or have bleeding that you cannot get under control, call 911 or head straight to the emergency room of your nearest hospital. After treating your injury, they will release you to receive emergency dental care. Otherwise, gather your missing tooth and attempt to return it to its place in your mouth while you head to your emergency dental visit. If you are unable to secure it, place it in a jar of milk or saltwater bath to transport. Remember to never touch a tooth by its roots and instead grab it by the crown.
Restoring Your Tooth
At your visit, we will attempt to return your tooth to its place in your mouth. Afterward, we may suggest cosmetic treatment, such as dental bonding, to repair chips or cracks from your injury. If we are unsuccessful in replacing your knocked-out tooth, we can discuss prosthetics like dental implants to return your full smile.
Call Us Right Away To Provide Emergency Dental Care
To learn more about what to do for a knocked-out tooth or other dental emergencies, please call your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at (913) 901-8585. Our office is located on the southwest corner of 75th and State Line at the Crossroads of Prairie Village, Waldo, Brookside, Mission Hills, Leawood, and Overland Park.