Do this right now
Pick it up by the crown
The white chewing part, never the root. The root has living cells you must not touch or scrub.
Rinse for a second only, if dirty
Milk or saline, or a quick dip in water. No soap, no scrubbing, no drying.
Put it back in the socket if you can
Face it the right way and push gently; bite on a clean cloth to hold it. This is the best option for an adult tooth.
If you cannot, keep it moist
In a cup of cold milk, in saline, or in your cheek (adults only). Not in water for more than a moment, not in a tissue.
Call (530) 406-1730 and come now
Say “knocked-out tooth” and we clear a chair. If it is outside office hours, go to the nearest ER.
Do not
- Touching or scrubbing the root
- Wrapping the tooth in tissue or letting it dry out
- Putting a baby tooth back in (it can damage the adult tooth underneath)
- Waiting until tomorrow — after 2 hours dry the odds drop sharply
Go to the ER instead of us if
- It happened outside our office hours — an ER can re-implant or splint the tooth, and time matters more than who does it.
- There was a blow to the head with confusion, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
- Bleeding that does not stop with 15 minutes of firm pressure.
- You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling is spreading to the eye, under the jaw or down the neck.
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) with facial swelling.
We are open Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 2 PM and are not a 24-hour clinic. The nearest ER is Woodland Memorial Hospital, 2000 Sutter Place — or call 911.
What we do at the visit
Re-implant and splint
The tooth goes back in the socket and is held to the neighbours with a thin splint for a couple of weeks.
X-ray for root and jaw fractures
We check the socket and the teeth beside it, which are often loosened too.
Root canal later, in most cases
A re-implanted adult tooth usually needs a root canal within a few weeks to stay healthy. We plan it with you and quote it in writing.
If the tooth cannot be saved
We talk about an implant or bridge — not that day, but with a clear plan and no pressure.
What it costs
The emergency exam and X-ray fee is quoted when you call. Any treatment is priced in writing before it starts, and nothing is done without your OK. Most PPO plans cover emergency exams; monthly plans through CareCredit and Cherry. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal.
Request a same-day call
Three details and we call you. If it hurts badly, calling is faster: (530) 406-1730
Questions people ask
How long can a knocked-out tooth survive?
Kept moist, the cells on the root stay alive for about an hour, sometimes longer in milk. Dry, they die within 30 to 60 minutes. That is why we say call while you are on your way.
What about a child's baby tooth?
Baby teeth are not put back — it can harm the adult tooth forming below. Control the bleeding with a clean cloth, keep the tooth to show us, and call (530) 406-1730; we check the gum and the neighbouring teeth the same day.
Should I go to the ER or the dentist?
During our office hours, come straight to us — we re-implant and splint. Outside those hours, go to the ER; they can re-implant or splint too, and you see us afterwards for the follow-up.
Will the tooth look normal afterwards?
Usually yes. It may darken slightly over time and it will most likely need a root canal. If it is lost later, an implant replaces it.
Other dental emergencies
Emergency dentist near: Davis · West Sacramento · Dixon · Winters · Esparto · Knights Landing