Emergency Dentistry -- Glendale, AZ

Knocked-Out Tooth Emergency Care in Glendale, AZ

A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency. Every minute matters. Call SmileScience Dental Spa immediately -- we hold same-day slots for avulsed tooth cases.

Written by Richard Dawson, DMD ICOI Fellow Reviewed by John Turke, DMD DMD Updated April 2026
Same-Day Emergency Care We prioritize avulsed tooth cases
Reimplantation Experience CBCT imaging for precise diagnosis
Sedation Available For anxious or traumatized patients
New Patients Welcome No existing relationship required

Act Immediately -- Every Minute Counts

Do these steps right now, then get in the car. Read details while someone else drives.

  1. Find the tooth. Handle it by the crown (the white chewing surface) -- never by the root.
  2. Do NOT scrub the root. If it is dirty, rinse gently with whole milk or sterile saline for a few seconds. Do not use tap water.
  3. Try to reinsert it. If you can, gently place the tooth back in the socket and hold it there while biting down softly on gauze or a clean cloth.
  4. If you cannot reinsert it, store it correctly. Best to worst: a Save-A-Tooth preservation kit, whole milk, between your cheek and gum. NEVER wrap it dry or store it in plain water.
  5. Call us immediately. (480) 530-3663 -- we will prepare a treatment room while you are on your way.
Call Now: (480) 530-3663

SmileScience Dental Spa -- 20118 N 67th Ave, Ste 308, Glendale, AZ 85308

Why Time Is the Most Important Factor

The root of every tooth is covered in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells -- living tissue that connects the tooth to the bone. Once a tooth is knocked out, those cells begin to die. How long they survive depends almost entirely on how you store the tooth.

Under 30 Minutes

High success rate for reimplantation. PDL cells are largely viable. This is the window where we have the best chance of saving your natural tooth.

30 to 60 Minutes in Milk

Moderate success rate if the tooth has been stored in whole milk or a Save-A-Tooth kit. PDL cells deteriorate but some remain viable. Reimplantation is still worth attempting.

Over 1 Hour Dry

PDL cells are almost entirely non-viable. Reimplantation is rarely successful at this stage. Come in anyway -- we will assess the tooth and discuss immediate replacement options.

The single most important thing you can do right now is keep the tooth moist and call us. Storage medium matters -- milk is far better than water or nothing.

What Happens When You Arrive

We assess the tooth, the socket, and the surrounding bone within minutes of your arrival. Our CBCT 3D imaging lets us evaluate the socket and root without delay.

1. Emergency Reimplantation (if tooth is viable)

If the PDL cells are still alive, we clean the socket, prepare the root surface, and carefully reinsert the tooth. Local anesthetic is used so you feel nothing during the procedure.

2. Splinting for Stabilization

After reimplantation, we bond a flexible splint from the reimplanted tooth to the adjacent teeth. This holds the tooth steady while the periodontal ligament reattaches -- typically for 2 to 4 weeks.

3. Follow-Up and Monitoring

We schedule follow-up visits at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Even successful reimplantations often require a root canal weeks later as the pulp heals -- this is normal and does not mean the tooth is failing.

4. If Reimplantation Is Not Possible

We discuss your best replacement options immediately -- see below -- so you leave with a clear plan and, whenever possible, a temporary solution the same day.

Baby Tooth or Adult Tooth? It Changes Everything.

Adult (Permanent) Tooth

Reimplantation is the goal. Follow the immediate action steps above and get to us as fast as possible. Time is the critical variable.

Baby (Primary) Tooth

Do NOT attempt to reimplant a baby tooth. Reinserting it into the socket can damage the permanent tooth bud developing underneath. However, still call us -- we may need to check for a root fragment left in the socket and assess whether the permanent tooth has been affected by the trauma.

If Reimplantation Fails -- Replacement Options

When a tooth cannot be saved, we discuss permanent and temporary replacements the same appointment so you never leave without a plan.

Dental Implant -- Best Long-Term Replacement

A titanium post placed in the bone with a porcelain crown on top. The only replacement option that preserves jawbone and feels indistinguishable from a natural tooth. Typically placed 3 to 6 months after the extraction site heals. Learn about dental implants at SmileScience.

Fixed Bridge

A porcelain restoration anchored to the adjacent teeth. Does not require surgery. Does not preserve bone in the gap area, but is a solid functional solution for many patients.

Flipper (Temporary Removable Partial)

A removable appliance with a false tooth attached. Inexpensive and quick to make -- often used as a temporary placeholder while bone heals and implant treatment is planned. Not a long-term solution, but it fills the gap immediately.

Custom sports mouthguard for tooth protection in Glendale AZ

Prevent Future Tooth Loss with a Custom Mouthguard

The majority of sports-related tooth avulsions are preventable. A custom-fitted mouthguard from SmileScience distributes impact forces that would otherwise concentrate on a single tooth. Unlike store-bought boil-and-bite guards, a custom guard fits precisely and stays in place during contact.

We take a simple impression or digital scan and have your guard ready at the next visit. Recommended for any contact or collision sport -- football, basketball, soccer, martial arts, hockey, and more.

Ask About Custom Mouthguards

What Our Patients Say

4.9 (437 reviews)

What Does Knocked-Out Tooth Treatment Cost?

Treatment cost depends on how much care the tooth requires. Emergency exam and X-rays are assessed at the visit. Splinting, root canal therapy, and follow-up visits are billed separately. Our team will give you a full cost estimate before treatment begins and will verify your insurance benefits while you are on your way in.

Financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit is available with same-day approval for patients without coverage or with significant out-of-pocket costs. Learn about patient financing options.

Medical Review & Evidence

Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow
Author: Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow Medically Reviewed by: John Turke, DMD Last Updated: April 2026
Content on tooth avulsion reviewed against IADT 2020 evidence-based guidelines and landmark clinical research on reimplantation outcomes.
  1. International Association of Dental Traumatology. Dental Trauma Guidelines, 2020 Revision. IADT, 2020.
  2. Andreasen JO, et al. Replantation of 400 avulsed permanent incisors. Endodontics and Dental Traumatology. 1995;11(2):51-89.
  3. American Association of Endodontists. Recommended Guidelines for Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries. AAE.

Avulsed teeth are a dental emergency. Call (480) 530-3663 immediately. Content reviewed by Dr. Richard Dawson, DMD, ICOI Fellow, April 2026.

Knocked-Out Tooth FAQs

Pick the tooth up by the crown -- never touch the root. Rinse it gently under running water if it is dirty, but do not scrub it. Attempt to reinsert it into the socket if you can do so without forcing it, then bite down on a clean cloth to hold it in place while you travel. If you cannot reinsert it, store it in whole milk or between your cheek and gum. Then call us immediately and start driving -- do not wait to see if it feels better.

The window closes fast. Teeth reimplanted within 30 minutes have the best outcomes. Between 30 and 60 minutes, success rates decline but reimplantation is still worth attempting. Beyond 60 minutes, the periodontal ligament cells on the root surface begin to die and the chance of long-term success drops significantly. This is why time is treated as the most critical variable in avulsion management -- every minute matters.

No. Plain water is one of the worst storage media for an avulsed tooth. It causes the PDL cells to swell and burst due to osmotic differences. Use whole milk, sterile saline, a Save-A-Tooth kit, or keep the tooth between your cheek and gum. If none of those options are immediately available, milk from a convenience store is fine.

The procedure itself is performed with local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain during treatment. There will be soreness at the site for several days afterward as the tissue heals, and the tooth will be splinted to adjacent teeth for stability. Most patients manage post-operative discomfort comfortably with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Very likely yes, especially in fully developed adult teeth. The pulp (nerve and blood supply) is often irreversibly damaged during the trauma. A root canal is usually recommended within 7 to 14 days of reimplantation. This does not mean the procedure failed -- it is a normal and expected part of the healing process for most avulsed teeth.

Sometimes a reimplanted tooth survives for years before eventually being lost. In that case, we proceed with a dental implant once the site is ready. Even a partially successful reimplantation buys time, preserves bone, and keeps the space open. It is almost always worth trying.

Only if it is a permanent tooth. Baby teeth (primary teeth) should never be reimplanted -- the root can fuse to the bone and interfere with the permanent tooth erupting underneath. Bring your child in regardless so we can check for root fragments in the socket and evaluate whether the permanent tooth bud was affected by the impact.

Coverage varies by plan. Many dental insurance policies cover emergency exams and X-rays, and some cover a portion of reimplantation and splinting. Our team will verify your benefits over the phone while you are on your way and give you a clear picture of costs before treatment begins. We also offer financing options if out-of-pocket costs are a concern.

4.9 (437 reviews)

Tooth Knocked Out? Call Right Now.

Every second counts. We hold emergency slots for avulsed tooth cases. New patients welcome. SmileScience Dental Spa -- 20118 N 67th Ave, Ste 308, Glendale, AZ 85308.