Learn everything there is to know about tooth re implantation including the emergency steps, surgical process, healing time, factors influencing the success of re implantation and long term tooth care.

Having a knocked out tooth (convulsed tooth) is one of the most serious emergencies you can face in dental medicine. Having trauma to your mouth can cause your permanent tooth to completely come out of its socket. Re implantation is when a dentist will put your knocked out natural tooth back into its bone socket.

By acting quickly you can have your tooth saved by an emergency dentist, your natural root can be restored and you can maintain your full smile. Knowing how re implantation works, what emergency steps to take and how endodontist will treat your tooth long-term, you can protect your oral health.

1. What Is Tooth Re implantation?

Tooth re implantation is a specialized dental procedure whereby a knocked out natural tooth is placed back into its original alveolar bone socket.

  • Protective cells: This procedure aims to keep the delicate periodontal ligament cells safe on the root.
  • Quick intervention: This should be done by a dentist as quickly as possible.
  • Natural restoration: A successful re implantation means the natural root will attach back into the jaw.
  • Bone protection: Your natural root will stimulate your jawbone.

2. What Emergency Steps Should You Take After a Tooth Is Knocked Out?

The steps you take within 30 minutes of your injury will determine whether your dentist can save your tooth.

  • Hold by crown: Hold the tooth by the top smooth part of the crown only.
  • Gently rinse: If the tooth is dirty gently rinse in a small bowl of fresh milk or saline solution.
  • Don’t use soap: Do not use soap, alcohol, tap water or harsh chemicals.
  • Place in milk: Place the tooth into a small cup of cold milk or your cheek to keep the root cells moist.
  • Visit emergency dentist: Visit an emergency clinic within 30-60minutes for the highest reattachment success.

3. How Does the Tooth Re implantation Process Work?

Endodontist and emergency dentists will follow strict medical guidelines to ensure the tooth is reattached safely and reduce risk of infection.

  • Check for damage: Your dentist will take an x-ray to check for any jawbone fractures or damage to the root.
  • Wash socket: Your dentist will gently rinse the socket with sterile saline solution.
  • Reattach root: Your dentist will carefully line up the tooth and press it back into place.
  • Secure with splint: The dentist will attach a flexible wire or composite splint across the adjacent teeth.
  • Attach sutures: If your gums were torn during the trauma your dentist will attach small sutures.

4. Why Is Root Canal Therapy Needed After Re implantation?

Trauma will cause damage to the blood supply and nerve of the tooth meaning root canal therapy will be required.

  • Reduce infection: The dead pulp in the re implanted tooth will cause bacteria to grow.
  • Root canal timing: Root canal therapy will usually be carried out 7-14 days after re implantation.
  • Medicated paste: The endodontist will insert calcium hydroxide paste into the canals to reduce inflammation.
  • Seal canals: Once the root canal has been fully cleaned your dentist will seal the canals with gutta percha and fit a protective crown.

5. What Factors Influence Tooth Re implantation Success?

There are several factors that will determine whether your tooth will successfully bond back to your jawbone.

  • Re implant quickly: If the tooth is re implanted within 30 minutes the success rate is highest.
  • Milk storage: If the tooth is stored in a cold liquid such as milk, Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution or saliva then the root cells will remain alive much better than leaving it in the air.
  • Intact root: If the root is intact then your tooth will heal much better.
  • Age and bone density: Children and teenagers tend to have quicker cell regrowth than older adults with less bone density.
  • Immune system: If you are generally healthy and have a good immune system then your body will keep the inflammation under control.

6. How Should You Care for Your Tooth During Aftercare and Healing?

Taking care of your teeth after re implantation will help protect the splint and allow your tooth to heal.

  • Soft diet: Eat soft foods for 2-3 weeks.
  • Brush gently: Gently brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush. Be careful to avoid brushing the metal splint and sore gums.
  • Use chlorhexidine mouthwash: Use antiseptic mouthwash twice daily to stop bacteria building up.
  • Avoid sport: Avoid playing any contact sport whilst the splint is still in place.
  • Antibiotics: Take your antibiotics as prescribed by your dentist.

7. What Are the Possible Complications of Tooth Re implantation?

Whilst re implantation has high success rates it is important to be aware of any complications.

  • Resorption: Sometimes the immune system can attack the root of your tooth causing damage over a few months or years.
  • Ankylosis: Ankylosis occurs when the root has fused directly to the jawbone. The tooth will sound solid but sit low in the mouth.
  • Pulp necrosis: If the nerve dies in the tooth and isn’t treated you will get severe abscesses at the tip of the root, causing pain and swelling.
  • Discoloration: The tooth can become dark gray due to damaged blood vessels. This can be treated with internal bleaching or crowns.

What Are the Top Tips for Successful Tooth Re implantation?

  • Only hold the knocked out tooth by the crown.
  • Keep the tooth moist by placing it in cold milk, specialized saline solution or saliva.
  • Visit an emergency dentist within 30-60 minutes.
  • Follow the dietary restrictions and eat soft foods.
  • Have root canal within 2 weeks.
  • Attend all appointments so your dentist can check your bone is healing with x-rays.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Re implantation?

Can Dentists Re implant Knocked Out Baby Teeth?

No, dentists won’t re implant knocked out baby teeth. This can cause damage to the permanent tooth germ that is growing underneath.

How Long Will the Splint Stay In?

Usually dentists will leave the flexible splint in for 2-3 weeks. If there was significant damage to the surrounding jawbone then the splint may need to stay in for 4-6 weeks.

Is Tooth Re implantation Painful?

You will feel pain from the initial trauma however your dentist will use local anesthetic so your mouth will be numbed completely. After treatment you may feel some discomfort however this can be controlled with prescribed or over the counter anti-inflammatory painkillers.

What Happens If the Tooth Becomes Completely Dry?

If the tooth becomes dry for longer than 60 minutes the root cells will die. Whilst the dentist can still re implant it the root will likely become ankylosed or resorbed.

Tooth re implantation is a proven and very successful procedure to save your natural teeth. Acting quickly, keeping the root moist and visiting a dentist within 60 minutes will give your tooth the best chance to fully heal. Make sure you know who to contact for emergency dental treatment to protect your smile.