Northeast Roanoke Dentistry
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Emergency Care

Knocked-Out Tooth

Time matters. The sooner you can get to us, the better the chance of saving the tooth.

Right now

  1. Find the tooth. Always handle it by the crown (the part you chew with) , never the root.
  2. Clean it gently with warm water if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub.
  3. If you can, place the tooth back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
  4. If you can’t reposition it, place the tooth in a container of milk , not water.
  5. Come straight to our office. Call on the way.

After we see you

If the tooth can’t be saved, we’ll talk through replacement options , a dental implant, a bridge, or another solution, once the immediate care is done.

Knocked-Out Tooth Questions

Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?

Often, yes, if you act quickly. An adult tooth that is replanted or kept moist and brought to us promptly has a real chance of reattaching. The odds are best within the first 30 to 60 minutes, so call our Orange Ave NE office at 540-342-8781 while you are on the way.

How long can a tooth survive outside the mouth?

The root surface starts to dry out within minutes, which is why the first hour matters so much. Storing the tooth in milk, or tucked inside your cheek in saliva, keeps the root cells alive longer and buys time until Dr. Chaudhry can attempt to replant it.

Should I put a knocked-out tooth in water?

No. Plain water damages the delicate cells on the root that a successful replant depends on. Milk is the best household option, and holding the tooth in your cheek works too. Rinse dirt off gently if needed, but do not soak, scrub, or wrap the tooth in tissue.

What if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Do not try to put a baby tooth back in the socket, because replanting can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Still call us the same day. We will check for injury to the gums and the permanent tooth and make sure everything is healing the way it should.

What are my options if the tooth cannot be saved?

You still have good paths forward. A dental implant is the closest thing to your natural tooth, and a bridge is another proven option. Once you are comfortable again, we go over the choices, the costs, and financing through CareCredit or the Virginia Dental Club before you decide anything.

Call us right now

540-342-8781

Why patients on Orange Avenue choose Northeast Roanoke Dentistry

Dr. Rameen Chaudhry, DMD is calm, unhurried, and trained at Case Western Reserve University with a General Practice Residency at Rutgers, and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across northeast Roanoke, the 24012 corridor, Hollins, Garden City, and Vinton choose Northeast Roanoke Dentistry on Orange Avenue NE because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance, so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 2913 Orange Ave NE, Roanoke 24012. Call 540-342-8781 or request an appointment online.