Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth

Comprehensive Care for Every Smile

Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth

Our Options

Urgent dental care to save and restore your smile after injury.

Few dental emergencies are as stressful as having a tooth knocked out or broken. Acting quickly is critical - the sooner you receive professional care, the better the chances of saving your natural tooth. At Glendale Dental Wellness, Dr. Ivan Chan offers same-day emergency treatment for knocked-out and broken teeth in Glendale, CA. Our goal is to relieve pain, preserve your natural teeth whenever possible, and restore your smile\'s function and appearance.

Knocked-Out Teeth: Why Time Matters

If a tooth has been completely knocked out, it is a true dental emergency. The American Dental Association recommends that patients seek care within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of reimplantation.

What to do immediately if a tooth is knocked out:

The faster you get to our office, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

• Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root.
• Rinse it gently with water if dirty, but don\'t scrub it.
• Try to reinsert the tooth in its socket if you\'re able to do so.
• If you can\'t reinsert it, place it in a cup of milk or save it in your mouth (inside your cheek).
• Call Glendale Dental Wellness immediately for emergency care.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling.

Broken or Chipped Teeth: What to Do

If your tooth is broken or chipped, it\'s still important to get prompt treatment, even if it doesn\'t feel like an emergency:

Immediate Care

• Avoid chewing on the broken tooth.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• If there\'s a sharp edge, apply dental wax to prevent cutting your mouth.
• Take over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Call our office to schedule prompt treatment.

Don\'t Wait

A broken tooth can worsen over time, potentially leading to infection or the need for more extensive treatment. Getting prompt care prevents complications.

Reimplantation (Knocked-Out Teeth)

If you reach our office quickly with a knocked-out tooth, Dr. Chan may be able to reimplant it. The success rate is highest within 30 minutes but can be successful for several hours after the injury. Reimplanted teeth require:

• Careful cleaning and assessment
• Gentle reimplantation into the socket
• Stabilization with a splint
• Root canal treatment (usually performed 7-14 days later)
• Antibiotics to prevent infection
• Follow-up care over several months

Bonding (Chipped or Slightly Broken Teeth)

For small chips or breaks, bonding may be an option. Dr. Chan applies tooth-colored composite resin to:

Bonding typically takes one appointment and is very affordable.

• Fill in the missing portion of the tooth
• Restore the tooth\'s appearance
• Restore functionality
• Protect the remaining tooth structure

Crown or Cap (Moderate Breaks)

For larger breaks that don\'t affect the root, a crown may be the best solution:

• Protects the remaining tooth structure
• Restores function and appearance
• Provides long-term durability
• Usually requires two appointments

Root Canal Treatment (Severe Breaks)

If the break affects the nerve inside the tooth, root canal treatment may be needed:

• Removes the damaged nerve tissue
• Disinfects the canal system
• Seals the canal to prevent future infection
• Is followed by a crown to protect the tooth

Extraction and Replacement (Severe Damage)

If the tooth cannot be saved, we\'ll discuss replacement options:

• Dental implant - a permanent, natural-looking replacement
• Bridge - uses adjacent teeth as support
• Partial denture - removable option
• We help you choose the option that fits your needs and budget

Recovery and Follow-Up Care After Injury

Regardless of which treatment is performed, proper aftercare is essential:

Pain Management

Some discomfort is normal after emergency treatment. We provide:

• Prescription or over-the-counter pain medication
• Instructions for managing pain at home
• Guidance on when to expect improvement

Eating and Drinking

We recommend:

• Soft foods for several days
• Avoiding very hot or cold foods/drinks
• Not chewing directly on the affected tooth
• Gradually returning to normal eating as healing progresses

Oral Hygiene

Keeping the area clean is crucial for healing:

• Gentle brushing around the affected tooth
• Salt water rinses to promote healing
• Following any specific cleaning instructions provided
• Avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting

Follow-Up Appointments

We schedule follow-up visits to:

• Monitor healing progress
• Address any complications
• Complete additional treatment (like root canal) if needed
• Ensure your long-term success

Preventing Tooth Injuries

While accidents happen, you can reduce your risk:

• Wear mouthguards during sports
• Use seatbelts and avoid risky behaviors
• Treat bruxism (teeth grinding) with a nightguard
• Maintain good oral health to keep teeth strong
• Avoid chewing on hard objects (ice, candy, etc.)

Emergency Contact Information

If you have a knocked-out or broken tooth, time is critical. Contact Glendale Dental Wellness immediately:

• Call our office for same-day emergency care
• Follow the immediate care instructions above
• Come prepared to describe the injury
• Bring the knocked-out tooth in milk or in your mouth if possible

Trust Dr. Chan for Your Dental Emergencies

Dental injuries are stressful, but you can trust Dr. Ivan Chan to provide prompt, expert emergency care. We\'re committed to saving your natural teeth whenever possible and restoring your smile to its best appearance and function. Contact us immediately if you have a knocked-out or broken tooth -we\'re here to help.