Can an avulsed tooth be saved? i recently had a tooth knocked out while playing basketball, and was told that if i had tried with put the tooth back into the socket within five minutes, there is a chance i might have been able to save the tooth. is this t

In : In essence, and for the most part, it is true. The tooth would have had to have been clean... If it fell on the floor and it was just put back into the socket, it would have been contaminated. Also, the tooth would have then needed to be fixated to the adjacent teeth, to allow the bone to rebond to the tooth... Sort of like wearing a cast on a broken arm. This would have been done by a dentist. Finally, there would be a good chance the tooth would need root canal therapy due to the trauma. But in the end, you would have your own tooth. Consider replacing the missing tooth with an implant if your adjacent teeth do not have major restorative problems. Best of luck to you.

Current : Current guidelines suggest that you have 30 minutes or less to replant the tooth into the socket. If you are near a source of clean water just rinse lightly and don't touch the root surface if possible. Gently placed the tooth back into the socket as best as you can. If you can't stand the idea of putting the tooth back, place it in milk (first choice) or water (second choice) and get to a dentist or emergency room as fast as possible. Because you have only 30 minutes please consider placing the tooth yourself and then go to a dentist that same day. The dentist will have to bond the tooth so it doesn't move. One week later you will need root canal treatment. Many teeth have been saved this way and you will avoid a costly dental implant or crown. For more information and statistics you can visit www.Dentaltraumaguide.Org.