 |
 |
|
What to do with a knocked-out toothWhen one is involved in some sort of accident, whether it be a child or adult, emotions and fears run high. They are especially anxious if they have had some teeth knocked out. Most people will be frightened and in pain. They are frantic. What should they or you do? This situation can be a manageable one if handled correctly. If you have not experienced this scenario, it is more than likely just a matter of time until you will. The accidentally knocked-out tooth is a scary situation for any parent or child. Sports mishaps, playground incidents, automobile accidents, or other injuries, teeth can be literally knocked completely out of the mouth. By responding correctly with quick action you may allow the permanent teeth to be saved, even for life, and placed back into their mouth. Note that these guidelines are only recommendations by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Each situation can and will vary. Contact Dr. Seth Gibree on his cell phone at 678-360-7384 as soon as the injured person is stable to establish treatment. Statistics reveal that millions of teeth will be knocked out this year accidentally whether on the ball field, in the home, or in a motor vehicle accident. The key to successful replantation of the knocked-out permanent tooth is the preservation of the cells of the periodontal ligament. These cells attach the tooth to the bone. Time is the enemy in this situation and is of the essence. As minutes elapse, the cells of the ligament start to perish. The two most important things in being able to save the tooth are time before its replaced and how it is transported. The tooth (or teeth) should be handled very carefully and picked up
by the crown portion, not the root, of the tooth so as not to damage
the cells of the ligament. It should be placed in a suitable transport
medium. This is where the EMT ToothSaver The solution is called Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBBS). It has been found to be the best and most suitable transport medium. Small containers can be requested by name and bought online and even at local drug stores. Ideally these small individual containers would be readily available at area parks and athletic events. Parents are also encouraged to have these in their own first aid kits at home. If HBBS is unavailable then the next best medium is milk followed respectively by saline, saliva by their cheek, or water. The tooth should not be allowed to dry out during transport but not wrapped in a tissue or cloth which would damage the delicate cells on the roots. The injured person and tooth should be rushed to the dental office, if possible, for replantation and splinting of the tooth. DO NOT FORGET THE TOOTH AT THE SCENE!! Forgetting or misplacing the tooth is a common occurrence. By that time it is usually already too late. The most important thing is to have the patient stable first and foremost. With the EMT ToothSaver you have up to 24 hours to try to replant the tooth. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Seth Gibree on his cell phone at 678-360-7384.
|
In an emergency contact Dr. Gibree on his cell phone immediately678-360-7384
|
|
© 2004-2007
Seth A. Gibree, DMD. All Rights Reserved |
Resources | |
 |
 |
comes into play. It is a specialized
single use ph-balanced solution to be used to transport the tooth. For
best results, insert tooth within 30 minutes into the solution and replant
the tooth within 24 hours. EMT ToothSaver(TM) helps protect a knocked-out
tooth from cell damage and dehydration. By suspending it in a pH-balanced
cell culture fluid a tooth can be safely stored up to 24 hours until
replantation. This allows other more serious injuries to be treated first
and expands the window of time to perform the preferred option - saving
the patient's natural tooth.