Knocked-Out Tooth? Here's What to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Time is critical. You have roughly 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth. Follow the steps below, then call (954) 807-1840 immediately.
A knocked-out tooth is one of the few dental emergencies where minutes genuinely make the difference between saving and losing the tooth. If you are reading this because it just happened, skip to the numbered steps below. Read the rest later.
5 Steps to Save a Knocked-Out Tooth
Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown
The crown is the white, visible part. The root is the tapered, yellowish end that was inside your gum. Hold it only by the crown. Touching the root damages the periodontal ligament cells that the dentist needs intact for reimplantation.
Rinse it gently with cool water
If there is dirt on the tooth, hold it under cool running water for no more than 10 seconds. Do not scrub. Do not use soap, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Do not wrap it in tissue, which dries and damages root cells.
Try to place it back in the socket
Position the tooth the right way and gently push it into the socket. Bite down on a clean cloth to hold it. This is the single best thing you can do. The tooth's own socket is the ideal environment for keeping root cells alive.
If you cannot reinsert it, store it in milk
Cold milk has the right pH and osmotic pressure to keep root cells alive for up to an hour. Saline solution also works. Do not store the tooth in water because it is hypotonic and damages cells faster.
Call (954) 807-1840 and get to us within 30 minutes
Call while you are on your way. We will prepare for your arrival. Our clinic at 330 SW 13th St, Fort Lauderdale is open 7 days a week.
Why 30 Minutes Matters
The periodontal ligament cells on the tooth root begin dying within 15 minutes of being dry. When the tooth is reimplanted within 30 minutes and has been kept moist, success rates are above 85%. After 60 minutes, those rates drop below 50%. After 2 hours dry, the tooth can still be placed back, but it functions more like a placeholder; the body will eventually resorb the root.
What Happens When Reimplantation Is Not Possible
Sometimes the tooth is too damaged, too much time has passed, or the socket itself is fractured. In these cases, we discuss replacement options:
- Dental implant: A titanium post placed in the jawbone that supports a crown. It looks and functions like a natural tooth. This is the gold standard for single-tooth replacement.
- Dental bridge: A prosthetic tooth anchored to the neighboring teeth. A good option when implant surgery is not suitable.
- Partial denture: A removable appliance that fills the gap. Less invasive, more affordable.
Sports Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is an active community. Between beach volleyball, surfing, cycling, and youth sports leagues, we see knocked-out teeth from sports injuries regularly. If you or your child participates in contact sports, we strongly recommend a custom mouth guard. A $30 to $50 mouth guard can prevent thousands of dollars in dental work.
Children's Teeth: Different Rules
If a child knocks out a baby tooth, do not reimplant it. Pushing a baby tooth back into the socket can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Control the bleeding with gauze, comfort the child, and bring them in for an assessment. We need to make sure the permanent tooth bud is not affected.
If a child knocks out a permanent tooth, follow the same 5 steps above. Children's permanent teeth actually have higher reimplantation success rates than adults' because their bone is still growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Yes, if you act fast. A knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of survival if reimplanted within 30 minutes. After 60 minutes, success rates drop below 50%. Keep the tooth moist in milk or saline and get to us as quickly as possible.
What happens if the tooth cannot be reimplanted?
If reimplantation is not possible, we discuss replacement options including dental implants, bridges, and partial dentures. A dental implant is the closest replacement to a natural tooth and is the option most patients prefer for long-term results.
Should I reimplant a child's baby tooth?
No. Baby teeth should not be reimplanted because doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. If a child knocks out a baby tooth, control the bleeding with gauze and bring the child in for assessment, but do not try to put the baby tooth back.
How much does knocked-out tooth treatment cost?
Reimplantation and stabilization typically costs $200 to $500. If the tooth cannot be saved and you need an implant, that is a larger investment: $1,500 to $3,000 over multiple visits. We provide a full cost breakdown before any treatment begins.