Even if you’re not one of the 5 million people in the U.S. who suffers from a knocked-out tooth each year, it’s wise to know what to do, should you experience this situation. There’s good news and bad news regarding knocked-out teeth (also known as dental trauma). The good news is that a tooth that has been knocked out may be able to be saved. The bad news is that you have a small window of time to get emergency endodontic treatment or the tooth may be lost forever. Here’s exactly what to do if your tooth gets knocked out.

Knocked-Out Tooth: Step-By-Step Guide

Common causes of knocked-out teeth include falls, sports injuries, assaults, bike accidents, and vehicular accidents. Assuming your mouth is the only area that was impacted, you should:

• Locate your tooth
• Pick up the tooth by the chewing surface being careful not to touch the root
• If clean, attempt to put it back in the socket gently
• If the tooth is not clean, rinse it in water before trying to place it back in the socket
• If the tooth will not go into the socket do not force it
• Hold the tooth in the inside of your mouth near the cheek
• If the tooth is dirty put it in a glass of milk (do not soak it in tap water)
• Notify an endodontist and head to their office for immediate treatment
• Keep the tooth moist until you arrive at the endodontist

Endodontists may be able to save your tooth if you arrive for treatment within an hour of the injury. If you sustained head trauma or other injuries, go to the nearest emergency room before seeking treatment for the tooth.

How Endodontists Save Knocked-Out Teeth

As remarkable as it may seem, your endodontist may be able to save a tooth that was completely knocked out by replanting the tooth roots. They will then use what are known as splints to stabilize the tooth. 

Once the tooth is replanted, over the next few weeks, the gum tissue should reattach to the tooth root. Once this is complete you will likely need to return to the endodontist to have a root canal. 

A root canal is a procedure performed to remove the pulp (interior) of the tooth and to thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside of the tooth. The interior is then filled with a material called gutta-percha, and the tooth is sealed off. It will need to be protected with a dental crown.

Why Should I Try to Save a Tooth That Has Been Knocked Out?

It is always in your best interest to try to maintain your natural teeth. Although the visible portion of the tooth (crown) plays a critical role in completing your smile, chewing, speaking, and stabilizing other teeth, the tooth root is equally important.

The tooth root is what anchors the tooth to the jawbone. The jawbone provides the structure and appearance of your face.  Without tooth roots to attach to, the jawbone begins to recede. Over time this can drastically change the appearance of your face, by creating a hollow, sunken mouth.  

In addition, the degradation of the jawbone can lead to the destabilization of nearby teeth, putting you at greater risk of losing additional teeth. If your tooth cannot be successfully replanted after being knocked out, you should consider getting a dental implant as soon as possible.  Dental implants mimic the function of a natural tooth and the tooth root.

Emergency Treatment for Knocked-Out Teeth in Forest Lake, MN

If you’ve suffered a knocked-out tooth, call our office at  651-464-9888  and notify our staff that you are on the way.  For all other endodontic treatments and services, you may send us a message to request your treatment. 

Cracked teeth often have obvious causes (accident, trauma to the face, fall, sports injury) and must be treated by an endodontist immediately, or the tooth is at risk of being lost. But, in other cases, patients don’t know they have a cracked tooth until they receive a diagnosis from their dentist. Unfortunately, symptoms of cracked teeth mimic other conditions, so you’ll need to see a dentist ASAP for an accurate diagnosis and to begin your treatment. Read on to learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatments for cracked teeth. 

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth

Discomfort is the leading symptom of a cracked tooth. If you develop any new onset of pain in a tooth, it’s time to see your dentist. Other symptoms of cracked teeth include pain when chewing,  and new onset of sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages.  

Swelling around a tooth, sharp, shooting, or throbbing pain, bad taste or breath, and sore neck glands are also some symptoms of a cracked tooth that may have become infected. 

Treatments for Cracked Teeth

Small cracks in teeth may be treated by a general or family dentist. They may be able to use dental bonding to reattach a small portion of a tooth that has chipped entirely off the tooth. In many cases, a small crack may be treated with a filling. Other fractured teeth may be protected with a crown.

However, when a tooth is severely cracked or when an infection or tooth decay has reached the interior of the tooth, you’ll need to be treated by an endodontist. Depending upon the location and severity of the fracture, your endodontic treatment options may include:

• Root canal. Severe fractures in the nerve above the gum line can be treated with a root canal. During a root canal, your endodontist will clean out any debris, decay, and infection inside the tooth, and reshape the canals of the tooth where the pulp resides. They may apply medication to the interior of the tooth to prevent infection from returning. The tooth will then be covered with a crown.
• Extraction. If a tooth has fractured beneath the gum line and below the height of bone, the tooth cannot be restored and will need to be extracted.  

Another type of tooth fracture is possible, though it is less common. Known as a vertical root fracture, this type of fracture begins at the root of the tooth and extends upward, beneath the gum line. In some cases, your endodontist may be able to save your tooth by removing the fractured portion of the root during endodontic surgery. 

Is it Better to Pull a Fractured Tooth or Have a Root Canal?

It is always in your best interest to preserve your natural tooth with a root canal wherever possible. Your teeth are essential for speaking and chewing. 

But beneath the gumline is the equally vital tooth root. The roots of your teeth keep your jawbone strong. When you extract a tooth and its root, the jawbone begins to recede. This can alter your facial structure, and make chewing and speaking difficult. Missing teeth also cause many people to suffer from problems with self-confidence. 

In sum, it is always better to treat a fractured tooth with a root canal than to pull the tooth.

Emergency Treatment for Cracked Teeth in Forest Lake, MN

If you’ve suffered an emergency or accident that has resulted in a cracked tooth, contact Forest Lake Endodontics at 651-464-9888 for priority treatment. If your dentist has referred you for a root canal to treat a fractured tooth, you are welcome to request an appointment online and our staff will be in touch soon to confirm your appointment.  

Endodontic surgery is a complex, specialized procedure that can save a tooth from extraction. By accessing the root of the tooth, the dentist can remove diseased pulp, repair damage, and clean the root canal system.

In more serious cases, endodontic surgery is necessary to remove a cyst or tumor and address other issues. But how do dentists know when to recommend endodontic surgery and how do they perform the procedure?

This article will unravel the mystery of endodontic surgery, explaining the indications, procedure, and recovery process. It will also explore the various types of endodontic surgery and discuss the importance of proper aftercare.

What is Endodontic Surgery?

Endodontic surgery is a dental procedure that involves accessing the root of a tooth and cleaning the root canal system and surrounding bone. It is usually recommended when a patient has a deep infection or complex anatomy that cannot be addressed with a traditional root canal.

The procedure is typically performed by an endodontist, a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the root canal system. Endodontic surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient does not need to stay overnight in the hospital.

Endodontic surgery is also known as apical surgery and root-end resection. It is a complex procedure that is not typically performed by general dentists. The endodontist will use specialized tools and techniques to access the root of the tooth and clean the root canal system and remove the infection or cyst from the surrounding bone.

Indications for Endodontic Surgery

Endodontic surgery is typically recommended when a patient has a deep infection or other serious issue that cannot be addressed with a traditional root canal. This could include a cyst or tumor that has developed at the root tip of the tooth, damage to the root of the tooth, or a fracture in the root.

Endodontic surgery may also be recommended if a patient has a conventional root canal procedure that was not successful in treating the infection.

In some cases, endodontic surgery may be recommended if a patient has a severe toothache or pain that cannot be alleviated with other treatments. This could be a sign of a deep infection that needs to be addressed with endodontic surgery.

The Procedure for Endodontic Surgery

The endodontic surgery procedure typically begins with the endodontist taking X-rays and CBCT of the tooth to get a better view of the root and the surrounding structures. The endodontist will then numb the area around the tooth to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient.

The endodontist will then make an incision in the gum tissue to access the root of the tooth. Once the endodontist has access to the root end of the tooth, they will use specialized tools to clean the root canal system & surrounding bone. This includes removing any diseased or infected tissue, as well as any debris that may have built up in the root canal system.

The endodontist may also use special instruments to repair any damage to the root of the tooth. This could include repairing a fracture in the root or addressing any other structural issues.

The endodontist may also place a special filling material in the root canal system to seal it and prevent further infection or damage. Once the endodontist has finished cleaning and repairing the root canal system, they will close the incision and place stitches in over the area. The endodontist may also prescribe antibiotics or other medications to help manage the infection and speed up the healing process.

Types of Endodontic Surgery

There are several different types of endodontic surgery, depending on the type of issue that needs to be addressed. The most common type of endodontic surgery is an apicoectomy. This procedure removes a cyst or tumor at the root tip of the tooth. The endodontist will make an incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth's root end and remove the cyst or tumor.

Other types of endodontic surgery include root-end resection, which is used to remove a fractured or damaged root of the tooth. The endodontist will make an incision in the gum tissue to access the root of the tooth and then remove the damaged root. They may also use special instruments to repair any damage to the root before closing the incision.

Endodontic surgery can also be used to remove a crack or fractured root in a molar, to help save the remaining natural tooth longer.

Recovering from Endodontic Surgery

The recovery process for endodontic surgery is typically fairly straightforward. After the procedure, the endodontist will place stitches in the incision site to help protect the area and promote healing. The endodontist may also prescribe antibiotics and pain medications to help manage any discomfort.

It is important to follow the endodontist's instructions for aftercare, as this will help ensure a successful recovery. This includes taking any prescribed medications as directed and avoiding any strenuous activities for a few days after the procedure. The endodontist may recommend rinsing with warm salt water or an antibacterial mouthwash to help keep the area clean to promote faster healing.

Endodontic Surgery in Forest Lake

Endodontic surgery can be a life-saving procedure for many patients. The procedure can help to save a tooth that may otherwise need to be extracted. By cleaning the root canal system and repairing any damage, the endodontist can restore the health of the tooth and prevent further problems.

Endodontic surgery also helps relieve pain and discomfort for patients who are suffering from a deep infection or other cysts. The procedure can help to alleviate any pain or discomfort and restore the health of the tooth.

The success rate for endodontic surgery is typically very high, with most patients experiencing a successful outcome. The procedure can help to save a tooth and restore the health of the root canal system, allowing the patient to maintain their natural smile. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you, or book an appointment online.