Irvine Dentist Solutions | Dental Emergencies

Dental Emergencies

By Michael Choi, DMD

Accidents can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Many times, as in the case of dental accidents, timing is crucial to effective treatment. At Smile By Design we are well-prepared to deal with the traumas caused by an accident and will make the needed repairs to ensure the health of your teeth and the beauty of your smile.

What if a Tooth is Broken off?

Sometimes because of an accident one or more front teeth may be broken off. Dr. Choi will first check for any damage to the root or surrounding teeth or tissues.

If the tooth is still in good condition, Dr. Choi can often repair small breaks with dental bonding on the same visit. A larger repair can be made with a variety of options, such as porcelain veneers, implants or crowns.

What if a Tooth is Knocked Loose?

If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it.

If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim's mouth, it is best to have the person hold it there, if possible, until Dr. Choi can attempt re-implantation.

If it is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.

If it is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until Dr. Choi can examine it. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.

Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation by Dr. Choi is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.

In case of an emergency, call us at Smile By Design immediately; we are here to help!