Can a knocked-out baby tooth be put back in?

No, baby teeth should not be re-implanted. Doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. If your child knocks out a baby tooth, see a dentist promptly to check for other injuries and ensure proper healing, but do not attempt to push the baby tooth back into the socket.

How long can a knocked-out tooth survive outside the mouth?

A tooth has the best chance of survival if re-implanted within 30 to 60 minutes. The cells on the tooth root begin to die when dry, but proper storage in milk or saliva can extend viability. Even after two hours, it's still worth seeing an emergency dentist, as some teeth can still be saved.

What if only part of the tooth broke off instead of coming out completely?

If the tooth is chipped or fractured but still in place, rinse your mouth with warm water, find any broken pieces if possible, and see a dentist as soon as you can. Depending on the extent of damage, treatment may range from smoothing a minor chip to placing a crown or performing root canal therapy.

Will my tooth look normal after it's put back in?

In many cases, yes. A successfully re-implanted tooth can look and function normally for many years, especially with appropriate follow-up treatment such as root canal therapy. Some teeth may darken over time, but cosmetic options like veneers or whitening can address appearance concerns if needed.

How much does emergency dental treatment for a knocked-out tooth cost?

Emergency consultation and re-implantation typically range from $200 to $600, depending on complexity and whether splinting is required. Follow-up treatments such as root canal therapy will incur additional costs. An exact quote follows an examination, and we accept all major Australian health funds with on-the-spot claiming at our Cheltenham practice.

Knocked Out a Tooth? What to Do in the First 30 Minutes

If you've knocked out a tooth, time is your most valuable resource. The first 30 minutes after a tooth is completely knocked out offer the best chance of successful re-implantation. Your immediate priorities are to find the tooth, handle it correctly, keep it moist, and get to an emergency dentist as quickly as possible—ideally within an hour of the injury.

First Steps: Stay Calm and Find the Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a genuine dental emergency, but panic won't help. Take a breath, assess any other injuries, and locate the tooth. If the accident involved a child, reassure them while you work through the following steps.

Once you've found the tooth, pick it up by the crown only—the white part you normally see when the tooth is in your mouth. Never touch the root surface, as the delicate tissue fibres attached to it are critical for re-implantation success.

How to Handle a Knocked Out Tooth Correctly

Proper handling makes an enormous difference to whether your tooth can be saved. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently under cold running water for no more than ten seconds. Do not scrub it, use soap, wrap it in tissue, or let it dry out.

If you're able to do so calmly and the person is conscious and cooperative, try to reinsert the tooth into its socket immediately. Gently push it into place using light finger pressure, then hold it there by biting down softly on a clean cloth or gauze. This is often the single best thing you can do when you've knocked out a tooth—what to do next is get to a dentist while keeping the tooth in place.

If reinsertion isn't possible—for instance, the person is very young, distressed, or the socket is badly damaged—you need to keep the tooth moist during transport.

Storage Options to Keep the Tooth Alive

The cells on the tooth root will die if they dry out, so moisture is essential. Your best options, in order of preference, are:

Milk – place the tooth in a small container of cold full-cream milk
Saliva – keep the tooth inside your cheek between gum and cheek (only for older children and adults who won't swallow it)
Saline – if you have sterile saline solution available
Water – tap water is a last resort if nothing else is available, but milk or saliva are far better

Never store the tooth in soft drink, alcohol, or let it dry on a benchtop or in a tissue.

Get to an Emergency Dentist Immediately

Call ahead so the practice knows you're coming. At Park Road Dental in Cheltenham, we prioritise dental emergencies and will do everything possible to see you immediately during business hours. If the injury occurs after hours, head to a hospital emergency department—they can stabilise the situation and provide advice until you can see a dentist.

The ideal window for re-implantation is within 30 to 60 minutes. After two hours, the success rate drops significantly, but it's still worth seeking treatment even if more time has passed.

During your emergency appointment, the dentist will clean the socket, reposition the tooth (if it's not already in place), and splint it to the neighbouring teeth using a flexible wire or composite material. The splint usually stays in place for one to two weeks while the supporting bone and ligament heal.

What Happens After Replantation?

Even when a knocked-out tooth is successfully re-implanted, follow-up care is essential. You'll need to return for check-ups over the following weeks and months to monitor healing. The dentist will check the tooth's stability, look for signs of infection, and assess whether the nerve inside the tooth has survived.

In many cases, root canal treatment becomes necessary within a few weeks, because the nerve and blood supply to the tooth may not recover. This doesn't mean the re-implantation has failed—many successfully re-implanted teeth remain functional and aesthetic for years or even decades after root canal therapy.

Your dentist may also recommend a soft diet, avoiding contact sports, and careful oral hygiene while the tooth heals. Antibiotics and a tetanus booster might be prescribed depending on the nature of the injury.

When the Tooth Can't Be Saved

Despite best efforts, not every knocked-out tooth can be re-implanted successfully. Factors such as the extent of damage, how long the tooth was out of the mouth, how it was stored, and the patient's age all influence the outcome.

If the tooth is lost, several replacement options are available. Dental implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution that doesn't rely on neighbouring teeth. Other options include bridges and partial dentures, depending on your situation and preferences.

For growing children who lose a permanent tooth, implants are usually delayed until jaw growth is complete, so a temporary solution such as a removable retainer with a false tooth may be used in the meantime.

Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Dental Trauma

While accidents happen, you can reduce the risk of knocked-out teeth—especially during sport. A custom-fitted mouthguard offers far better protection than a boil-and-bite version from the chemist. If you or your children play contact sports like footy, netball, hockey, or martial arts, talk to our team about a professionally made mouthguard during your next check-up.

For children, addressing protruding front teeth early with orthodontic treatment can also reduce trauma risk, as prominent teeth are more vulnerable to injury. Our practice offers clear aligners and braces for patients of all ages across Bayside Melbourne.

Talk to Us

Park Road Dental has been caring for Cheltenham families since the 1970s, and we understand how stressful a dental emergency can be. Whether you've just knocked out a tooth or want advice on preventing future injuries, our experienced team is here to help. Call us on (03) 9584 4949 any time during business hours, or book an appointment online for non-urgent care.