Medically Reviewed by Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS on July 30, 2026
Yes, in many cases a dentist can save a damaged or knocked-out tooth, but success depends heavily on how quickly you act. A stray elbow during a game or a bite into something unexpectedly hard can turn into a dental emergency in seconds, and these moments are stressful and time-sensitive. Advanced procedures like reimplantation, splinting, and bonding can preserve a tooth that would otherwise be lost, but only when treatment begins quickly.
At Newport Beach Dental Center, Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, leads our team with extensive experience and advanced credentials. Whether it’s reimplanting a tooth or addressing complex injuries, she provides precise, compassionate care tailored to your needs. When emergencies strike, we’re here to help restore your smile and your confidence.
How Your Dentist Can Help Preserve Your Injured Tooth
When a dental emergency strikes, professional care can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here’s how our dentist can help in the following situations:
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. Most teeth can be successfully replanted when they are gently placed back into the socket or brought to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury, since the periodontal ligament cells that hold a tooth in place begin to break down the longer the tooth stays out of the mouth. Until you reach our office, the tooth should be handled only by the crown, never the root, and kept moist by storing it in milk or gently repositioning it in the socket.
Once you arrive, Dr. Laura Sharbash can carefully clean and reimplant the tooth, then splint it to the neighboring teeth so it can stabilize while the supporting tissue reattaches. Splinting typically stays in place for two to eight weeks, and because the nerve inside a reimplanted tooth is rarely still viable, a root canal is usually needed afterward to protect the tooth long term, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth requires swift evaluation to determine the extent of the damage. For minor cracks or chips, composite bonding can restore the tooth’s function and appearance in a single visit. More significant breaks might require a dental crown to protect what remains of the tooth, while severe cases that expose the inner pulp could involve root canal therapy to relieve pain and preserve the tooth’s inner structure.
Regardless of the type of dental emergency, acting quickly is crucial. Immediate professional care not only increases the likelihood of saving the tooth but also helps alleviate pain and prevent further complications.
Why Acting Quickly Makes the Difference
The urgency behind a dental emergency is not just about comfort, it is biological. A tooth is held in its socket by a thin layer of connective tissue called the periodontal ligament, and those cells begin to dry out and break down within minutes of a tooth leaving the mouth. Once too many of those cells are lost, the root is more likely to be reabsorbed over time rather than reintegrate into the jaw, even if the tooth is technically placed back in.
This is why our team asks patients to call before they even leave the scene of the injury. A quick phone call lets us prepare the right materials and clear time in the schedule, so the moment you arrive, we can begin stabilizing the tooth rather than starting with paperwork. The same urgency applies to a badly cracked tooth, since a crack that reaches the nerve can allow bacteria in and lead to an infection within a day or two if it goes untreated.
Steps to Take Before You Reach Your Dentist
Dental emergencies can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps before reaching your dentist can help minimize damage and improve the chances of saving your tooth. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, a crack, or severe pain, quick and careful action is essential. Follow these general guidelines to handle most dental emergencies effectively:
- Handle with Care: If a tooth is knocked out or broken, avoid touching the root or applying pressure to damaged areas. Preserve any pieces you can recover.
- Rinse and Protect: Use warm water to gently clean the injured area or the tooth itself. For knocked-out teeth, keep them moist by reinserting them into their socket or storing them in milk or saliva.
- Control Pain and Swelling: Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling and discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but avoid aspirin, as it may increase bleeding.
- Avoid Further Damage: Stick to soft foods, avoid chewing near the injury, and never use sharp objects to dislodge anything stuck between teeth.
- Contact Your Dentist Immediately: Reach out to your dentist as soon as possible to explain your situation and schedule care. Timely treatment is critical for saving your tooth and preventing complications.
Taking these steps can make a big difference in the success of your treatment and recovery. If you’re unsure what to do, contact Newport Beach Dental Center for advice as you prepare for your appointment. Our team is here to guide you through every step of your dental emergency. For a full breakdown of how to handle every type of dental emergency, from a lost filling to an abscess, see our step-by-step dental emergency guide.
What Happens After Your Tooth Is Saved
Saving a tooth is only the first step. After a knocked-out tooth is reimplanted, you’ll wear a splint for several weeks while the periodontal ligament reattaches, and we’ll schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and check for signs of root resorption or infection. If a root canal was not completed at the first visit, it is usually finished within one to two weeks of the injury.
For a cracked tooth restored with a crown or bonding, follow-up is simpler, but we still recommend a check-up appointment to confirm the bite feels even and the repair is holding. In both cases, avoiding hard foods on the affected side and keeping up with routine cleanings gives the repaired tooth the best chance of lasting for years to come.
When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved
Even with prompt care, not every injured tooth can be preserved. If the root is fractured below the gumline, the tooth was out of the mouth too long, or an infection has already spread into the bone, extraction may be the safer option for your overall oral health. When that happens, we walk you through replacement options such as a dental implant or a dental bridge, so the gap left behind does not affect your bite, speech, or the position of neighboring teeth. Our goal is always to save the natural tooth first, but if that is not possible, we make sure you leave with a clear plan for restoring your smile.
If you play contact sports, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of a dental emergency in the first place.
Restoring Your Smile When It Matters Most
Dental emergencies are stressful, but they don’t have to result in losing a tooth. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we’re committed to providing the swift, personalized care you need when the unexpected happens. Led by Dr. Laura Sharbash, DDS, FAGD, D.ABDSM, our team combines advanced skills with a compassionate approach to help save your natural teeth and restore your smile.
From knocked-out teeth to complex injuries, we focus on preserving your oral health with precision and care. Don’t wait – use our contact form to schedule your appointment, and let our team help protect your smile when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saving a Tooth After a Dental Emergency
Can a knocked-out tooth really be saved?
In many cases, yes. A dentist can often reimplant a tooth that has been knocked out and splint it in place while the surrounding tissue heals. Success depends largely on how the tooth was handled and how quickly it was brought in for treatment after the injury occurred.
How long do I have to save a knocked-out tooth?
The best outcomes generally happen when a knocked-out tooth is replanted or reaches a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. Keeping the tooth moist in milk or saliva during that window helps protect the tissue that allows it to reattach successfully.
Will a reimplanted tooth need a root canal?
Usually, yes. Once a tooth has been knocked out and reimplanted, the nerve inside it is rarely able to stay healthy on its own. A root canal is typically completed within a few weeks of the injury to protect the tooth for the long term.
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own without treatment?
No. A cracked or fractured tooth cannot repair itself and often worsens without care. Left untreated, a crack can allow bacteria to reach the inner tooth structure, leading to pain, infection, or the eventual loss of the tooth.
What if I cannot get to the dentist within the first hour?
Reimplantation becomes less predictable after the first hour, but treatment can still relieve pain and address the injury. Call our office right away, keep the tooth or fragments moist, and come in as soon as possible so we can evaluate the best remaining options.
About the Author
Founding Dentist, Newport Beach Dental Center
Dr. Laura Sharbash holds a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction earned by a small percentage of general dentists in the United States and Canada, along with credentials in dental sleep medicine (D.ABDSM). She leads the Newport Beach Dental Center team in providing emergency and restorative dental care for patients throughout Orange County.
