Having teeth knocked out is common— over 5 million teeth get knocked out in children and adults every year. When your tooth gets knocked out, only treat it on the chewing surface. Never touch or disrupt the roots. You can rinse your tooth off gently with water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or use soap. Keep the tooth moist at all times after it falls out. Place it in the socket where it came from, in the soft part between your gums and cheeks, or in a glass of milk or water with a dash of salt. Some pharmacies offer tooth preservation kits for these situations. Visiting our restorative dentist office within the first 30 minutes to an hour after the accident will give you the best chance of a successful reimplantation.
If we are unable to save your tooth or your tooth has been gone for a while, we can provide you with the necessary dental replacement. At our restorative dentist office, we offer many tooth replacement options that range in cost, permanency, and effectiveness. Our two most popular dental replacements are dental bridges and dental implants.
A bridge is an appliance that can replace one or more missing teeth. It fills in the gap that was left by a missing tooth by attaching to nearby teeth for permanency. A fixed dental bridge is normally implemented by placing crowns on the two teeth on either side of the gap as an anchor. An artificial tooth will be attached to these crowns so it cannot be removed or displaced by eating or speaking. A dental bridge can help keep other teeth from damage when you overcompensate the missing tooth by placing the pressure of daily functions on surrounding teeth. It can also help keep your teeth from drifting out of place due to the gap.
Dental implants are technically replacements for tooth roots. A titanium rod-like structure will be placed into your jawbone, and it will fuse with the bone for a permanent replacement. An artificial replacement tooth will be placed on the implant once it has fully fused with the bone. Dental implants provide the most permanent option for a missing tooth replacement, and they improve appearance, speech, and chewing functions. Dental implants from our restorative dentist office can last a lifetime.
To learn more about how we can help you after a tooth has been knocked out, visit our restorative dentist office. We can share with you all of our dental replacement options and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for each.
Live in San Francisco, CA and have questions about a restorative dentist? Give us a call at (415) 493-9143.
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