Regenerative medicine refers to treatments that focus on healing tissues and restoring the function of organs. Regenerative endodontics applies that same concept to teeth. When the health of a tooth is compromised or at risk, endodontics is the field of dentistry that works to repair damage and restore dental function. 

The Science Behind Regenerative Endodontics 

Regenerative endodontics uses the body’s own healing abilities to restore damaged or infected teeth to a healthy state. As an alternative to traditional endodontic procedures, such as a root canal that removes infected or damaged tissue, regenerative endodontics uses bioactive materials to heal tissue so that it can function naturally. 

For example, during a traditional root canal all of the dental pulp (the soft tissue inside the root canal) is removed from the tooth and replaced with an artificial material. As an alternative, regenerative endodontic procedures introduce bioactive materials to the existing dental pulp to heal it and encourage regrowth of dental pulp cells. Stem cells and growth factors work to heal and restore damaged tissue. 

Regenerative Endodontic Procedures 

Some examples of regenerative endodontic procedures include: 

• Vital pulp therapy. A tooth that has sustained damage may still have vital pulp that can be saved. Vital pulp therapy is a procedure used to treat the existing dental pulp and restore its health while it remains in place, naturally. 
• Revascularization. Immature teeth may have underdeveloped roots that are shorter and thinner than a healthy mature tooth. With revascularization the healthy pulp is preserved, which encourages further growth of the natural root structure. 

Benefits of Regenerative Endodontics

Regenerative endodontics provides a wide range of benefits: 

• Save natural tissues. Avoid necrosis of the dental pulp when it is at risk of dying and preserve the natural tissue within the tooth. 
• Encourage new growth. With regenerative treatment the root structure can grow longer & thicker until it is fully mature.  
• Prevents further root damage. As the roots mature and strengthen, there is reduced risk of fracture or other damage.  
• Biological solution. Regenerative endodontics provides a natural, biological solution for internal damage to a tooth that does not introduce any synthetic materials. 
• Can prevent a root canal. When regenerative endodontic treatments are successful, a root canal  procedure can not only be postponed, but prevented entirely in many cases. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Regenerative Endodontics

Do all endodontists offer regenerative endodontics? 

Not all endodontic practices offer regenerative endodontics. If you are interested in this type of treatment, you will need to find an endodontist who provides regenerative procedures, as we do here at Forest Lake Endodontics. 

Will regenerative endodontics work for me? 

Regenerative endodontics works in many cases, but not necessarily every time. Whether or not you are eligible for regenerative treatments and the results you experience depends on your individual situation and the extent of the damage to the tooth. 

Forest Lake Endodontics Provides Regenerative Treatments

Forest Lake Endodontics prides ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest technology and best practices in the field of endodontics. Through regenerative endodontics we provide the highest quality care for our patients that offers the best chance of preserving your natural teeth. 

To learn more, call 651-464-9888 or contact us today and schedule an appointment.

A knocked out tooth is a type of dental trauma. It can be frightening, but in many cases the tooth can be saved. Appropriate action and prompt treatment increase the chances of saving the tooth. 

What do you do in the case of a knocked out or traumatized tooth? Here’s what endodontists recommend. 

Put the Tooth Back in Place 

If a tooth is knocked completely out of your mouth you will need to clean it off. Pick it up by the crown of the tooth only and avoid touching the root. Carefully rinse it with water or milk, making sure to plug the drain of the sink first or rinse in a bowl or container. Attempt to immediately put the tooth back in the socket in the correct position. If your tooth is back in place, bite down on some gauze or a clean cloth to ensureit’s fully seated. 

Keep the Tooth Moist 

If you can’t get the tooth back into the socket, it should be kept moist, store it in a cup of milk or hold it in your mouth between your cheek and gums. It is crucial to keep the tooth moist in order for it to be saved. Do not store the tooth in water, as it will cause the cells of the tooth to begin breaking down. 

Seek Immediate Dental Treatment 

Once you have secured the tooth in the socket or in the proper source of moisture, call Forest Lake Endodontics immediately at 651-464-9888. During regular office hours we will see you right away for dental trauma. After hours please leave a voicemail message and someone will contact you  with further instructions. 

How Long Can the Tooth Live Outside of the Mouth? 

The ideal time frame for saving a knocked out tooth is between 5 and 60 minutes. This offers the best chance that the tooth will still be viable. But as long as the tooth is kept moist in either milk or saliva, it may be salvageable for up to an hour or more. 

Treatment for a Knocked Out Tooth

A tooth that has been knocked completely out of the socket will require some treatment. The tooth will be stabilized using a splint attached to the neighboring teeth. As the tissues heal the support structures will tighten down on the root of the tooth and secure it in place as it was before the injury. 

The tooth may also need root canal therapy following dental trauma. When a tooth is hit hard enough to be knocked completely out of the mouth, there is a high chance that the dental pulp has sustained some level of injury. The dental pulp is the soft tissue at the center of each tooth containing blood vessels and nerves. When the tooth is damaged due to injury, the pulp is at risk of infection or may result in loss of blood supply to the tooth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Trauma

Should you put a baby tooth back in the socket if it is knocked out? 

No, a baby tooth should not be put back in the socket. Doing so could damage the permanent tooth underneath it. If a baby tooth is knocked out before it is ready to be naturally shed, a space maintainer may be used to hold the place open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. 

What happens if the tooth can’t be saved? 

In some cases a knocked out tooth can’t be saved. Either it was out of the mouth for too long or the tooth itself was too damaged. In this case the tooth can be replaced with either a dental bridge, dental implant or partial denture. 

Why See an Endodontist for Dental Trauma?

An endodontist specializes in restoration of teeth from the inside where the dental pulp resides. Dental trauma commonly leads to damage that affects the dental pulp, making endodontists uniquely qualified to provide treatment for dental injuries. 

Forest Lake Endodontics provides dental trauma treatment, including knocked out teeth and other dental injuries. We will do our best to save your teeth whenever possible. 

Call 651-464-9888 immediately in case of a dental trauma and we will make plans to see you as soon as possible. 

Accidents or injuries sometimes result in a knocked out tooth. Dental trauma can happen to anyone, and the experience may be frightening. But rest assured that in many cases the knocked out tooth can be saved, as long as you know what to do. Follow these instructions for a knocked out tooth to increase the chances of saving it. 

What To Do For a Knocked Out Tooth 

Time is of the essence in this situation, so follow these steps and remember them for the future: 

1. Locate the tooth. Find the tooth if at all possible. It could still be in your mouth, so avoid swallowing until you locate the missing tooth. 
2. Pick it up by the crown, avoid touching the root. Once you have found the tooth, pick it up by the crown of the tooth. Avoid touching the root because it can be easily damaged. 
3. Rinse the tooth. Plug the drain of your sink and only if visibly soiled, carefully rinse the tooth in lukewarm water, still holding it by the crown only. If not soiled or dirty , put immediately back in the socket.
4. Place the tooth back in the socket. Attempt to place the tooth back in the socket in the right position. 
5. Bite down on some clean gauze. If you are able to get the tooth back into the socket, bite down on some clean gauze to hold the tooth in place and stop the bleeding if necessary. 
6. Put the tooth in a cup of milk. If you are unable to get the tooth back into the socket, place it in a cup of milk. Avoid soaking it in water, which can cause damage to the tooth. 
7. Call Forest Lake Endodontics. Call us as soon as possible. When a tooth has been knocked out of the socket, there is limited time it can still be saved, refer to our office, or endodontic practice to at least evaluate. There is a better chance of saving it if you were able to place it back in the socket. 

How is a Knocked Out Tooth Treated?

Treatment for a knocked out tooth varies based on the situation. If the tooth is still in good condition it can be splinted to the other teeth to stabilize it while the support structures tighten back down to hold it in place. In many cases the tooth will need a root canal because damage to the tooth may have affected the dental pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that is made up of blood vessels and nerves. If the dental pulp is damaged, it must be removed and replaced with a type of filler material that can fortify the tooth and prevent infection. 

When is a Knocked Out Tooth Unable to Be Saved?

A knocked out tooth can not always be saved. Certain situations can lead to permanent loss of the tooth, such as: 

• If the tooth has been out of the mouth for too long, it dries out and is unable to be placed back in the socket. 
• If the tooth has sustained too much damage, it may not be saved. 
• If there is damage to the root of the tooth it can’t be saved in most cases. 
• If the tooth doesn’t get a root canal when needed, it may not survive. 

Forest Lake Endodontics Provides Emergency Services

A knocked out tooth is considered a dental emergency. Forest Lake Endodontics provides emergency services that can save a knocked out tooth in many cases, as long as you contact us in time. We can help stabilize the tooth and perform an emergency root canal if needed. 

Call 651-464-9888 right away in case of a dental emergency. We will provide treatment during and after regular office hours.