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Teething & Eruption

 Try to verify whether it was a baby tooth or not. Each situation is handled differently. 

Knocked Out Baby Tooth

While knocking out a baby tooth is a terrible situation it is not as severe as its permanent counterpart. Exams and x-rays should still be done to ensure everything is in order and that no other tooth was affected. In most cases treatment isnt necessary, but sometimes spacers will need to be placed to prevent teeth from shifting.

If front teeth and appearance is a major concern then a “pedo-partial” can be placed.It’s basically a denture with a fake tooth that is cemented into place until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Not all patients will be candidates for this so please see us for your options

It is important to verify if your child has inhaled the tooth. If you suspect that is the case, it is vital you contact your pediatrician or go to the emergency room for a chest x-ray.

missing tooth

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

If a permanent tooth is knocked out then the child needs to see the dentist as soon as possible. These are the precise steps to take in the event this happens:

  1. Gently hold the tooth by the crown, not the root, and rinse it off with plain water. Do not scrub it.
  2. Either re-insert it back into the socket and hold it in place with gauze, or place it in a glass of milk to transport it to our office.
  3. Call us immediately because time is of the essence to save the tooth. If it’s after hours, our voicemail will give you the phone number of the on call doctor.
  4. If you cannot locate the tooth and think your child may have inhaled it, call their pediatrician or go to the emergency room for an x-ray.

Over the counter pain relievers are fine to use, and you can apply ice for any facial swelling. The eventual treatment may include anything from a root canal and temporary splint to a porcelain crown or implant.