What to Do in Case of Dental Trauma?

Dr. Elena Kudryashova, an denal surgeon at Kandinsky Clinic in Dubai, explains how to save a knocked-out permanent tooth - but you must act within hours.

For primary teeth, never attempt to reinsert them as this could damage the permanent tooth bud underneath. However, if a permanent tooth is knocked out, it can be saved if proper steps are taken immediately.

The key to successful reimplantation is keeping the tooth moist. The root surface contains living cells and ligament fragments that hold the tooth in its socket. These cells will die within an hour if the tooth remains dry. Place the tooth in milk, saline solution, or a special Save-a-tooth container. If none of these are available, keeping the tooth in saliva is better than water.

While preserving the tooth in moisture, seek immediate dental care. The dentist will take X-rays to check for fragments in the socket or other hidden damage.

Important: Never scrub the tooth with brushes or tissues, as this can damage the periodontal ligament fibers. Instead, gently hold it by the crown and rinse with sterile saline solution if needed.

Clinical Treatment

At the clinic, we'll carefully examine the socket and reposition the tooth, securing it to adjacent teeth. If the tooth was stored in a special container, reimplantation can be done within 24 hours. However, for teeth preserved in milk or saliva, reimplantation should occur within hours.

Root canal treatment may be necessary as part of the final treatment phase. Follow-up examinations and X-rays will be scheduled at 3, 6, and 12 months, then annually to monitor the tooth's condition.

If you're unable to locate the knocked-out permanent tooth, our dentists will help find an appropriate solution.