Tooth Replantation

Tooth Replantation

Tooth replantation is a procedure to reinsert a tooth that has been knocked out (avulsed). During the procedure, the tooth is placed back into the empty space in the gum (socket) that it came out of. It is usually best if the tooth is replanted within one hour of the tooth injury.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Nerve damage.
  • Failure of the tooth to reattach its roots to the gum.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Your health care provider will examine your tooth to make sure that it is healthy enough to be replanted. Your tooth may be gently cleaned.
  • You may have X-rays to check for broken bones (fractures) in your jaw.
  • You may need a tetanus shot or tetanus booster shot.
  • Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during the procedure?

  • You may be given:
    • A medicine to numb the area around the tooth (local anesthetic).
    • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • Your health care provider will rinse out (flush) your empty socket and the rest of your mouth. The rinse may be:
    • Water.
    • Salt-water (saline) solution.
    • Germ-killing (antiseptic) solution.
  • Your socket may be dried with gauze.
  • If your socket is torn, it may be repaired with stitches (sutures). Sutures may need to be removed later, or they may dissolve as your mouth heals (absorbable sutures).
  • The tooth will be repositioned in the socket.
  • You may be asked to bite down on a gauze pad or a thin wooden stick (tongue depressor) to keep the tooth in place. Be sure to follow instructions from your health care provider to avoid moving the replanted tooth out of place.
  • A device (splint) will be attached to the replanted tooth and the teeth next to it. This stabilizes the replanted tooth while its roots heal. When the tooth has healed, the splint will be removed.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and clinics.

What happens after the procedure?

  • You may be given antibiotic medicine to take at home to prevent infection.
  • You may be given medicine to manage pain.
  • You may have X-rays to check that the tooth is in the right place.
  • You may need to have a root canal soon after replantation. This is a dental procedure to repair the inside of a tooth.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

  • Tooth replantation is a procedure to reinsert a tooth into the empty space in the gum (socket) that it came out of.
  • If your socket is torn, it may be repaired with stitches (sutures). Sutures may need to be removed later, or they may dissolve as your mouth heals (absorbable sutures).
  • A device (splint) will be attached to the replanted tooth and the teeth next to it. This keeps the replanted tooth stable while it heals.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).

Tooth Replantation, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After this procedure, it is common to have pain and swelling.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • If you are taking prescription pain medicine, take actions to prevent or treat constipation. Your health care provider may recommend that you:
    • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.
    • Take an over-the-counter or prescription medicine for constipation.

Activity

  • Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you during recovery, and ask what activities you need to avoid.
  • Avoid contact sports for as long as directed.

Driving

  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during your procedure.
  • Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Eating and drinking

  • Do not eat foods that are very sticky, crunchy, or hard.
  • Eat only soft foods for as long as told by your health care provider.

Lifestyle

  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

Mouth care

  • If directed, rinse gently with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times a day or as needed. This helps clean the mouth and prevent infection.
    • Do not swallow the salt-water mixture.
    • To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
  • Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal unless your health care provider gives you different instructions. Be gentle when brushing around your replanted tooth.
  • Check the area around your replanted tooth every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • Redness.
    • Swelling or pain that gets worse instead of better.
    • Blood or pus.
  • If a splint was placed on your tooth during your procedure, check your splint every day. Check to see if it is:
    • Loose.
    • Broken.
    • Bent.

General instructions

  • If directed, put ice on your cheek near your replanted tooth to relieve pain and swelling:
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
    • If you have a splint, you will need a minor procedure to remove your splint. This may be done one or several weeks after replantation. A splint is a device that keeps your tooth in place while it heals.
    • You may need to have a root canal immediately after replantation, or at a later time. This is a dental procedure to repair the inside of a tooth.

Contact a health care provider if you have:

  • A fever or chills.
  • Pain that does not get better with medicine.
  • A splint that is bent or loose.
  • Symptoms that get worse.
  • New symptoms.
  • Swelling or pain that gets worse.
  • Redness around your replanted tooth.
  • Blood or pus coming from the area around your replanted tooth.

Get help right away if:

  • You have severe pain.
  • Your replanted tooth moves out of place.
  • You swallow your tooth or a broken piece of your tooth.
  • Your splint breaks.

Summary

  • It is important to keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. You may need a root canal or a procedure to remove your splint.
  • Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal unless your health care provider gives you different instructions.
  • Contact your health care provider if you have swelling or pain that gets worse.
  • Make sure you know which problems should cause you to get help right away.
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