TOOTH REPLANTATION

General Information

DEFINITION-Replanting a tooth that has been knocked out of its normal position. Best results are obtained when the tooth is replanted within 2 hours after injury.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED-Mouth; teeth; gums.

REASONS FOR SURGERY-Prevention of permanent loss of a tooth.

SURGICAL RISK INCREASES WITH

• Smoking; poor nutrition.
• Recent or chronic illness.
• Poor dental hygiene or gum disease.
• Use of drugs such as: antihypertensives; muscle relaxants; tranquilizers; sleep inducers; insulin; sedatives; beta-adrenergic blockers; or cortisone.
• Use of mind-altering drugs, including: narcotics; psychedelics; hallucinogens; marijuana; sedatives; hypnotics; or cocaine.

What To Expect

WHO OPERATES-Oral surgeon or dentist.

WHERE PERFORMED-Hospital, oral surgeon's or dentist's office, outpatient surgical facility, doctor's office or emergency room.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Before surgery: Usually none, because of the need for immediate surgery.
• After surgery: Blood studies.

ANESTHESIA

• Local anesthesia by injection.
• General anesthesia (if time allows) by injection and inhalation with an airway tube placed in the windpipe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

• If you or your child has a tooth knocked out, try to find the tooth, wash it and replace it in the socket as quickly as possible. Go to your dentist as soon as possible.
• If you cannot replace the tooth in its socket, wash it and keep it wet. Go to your dentist immediately.
• Usually the root-canal nerve of the tooth is removed and filled with plastic material before the tooth is reinserted. Some dentists simply place the tooth back into the socket immediately.
• The replanted tooth is anchored to neighboring teeth with wire or plastic.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Excessive bleeding.
• Surgical-wound infection.
• Rejection of tooth (rare).

AVERAGE HOSPITAL STAY-0 to 1 day.

PROBABLE OUTCOME-Expect complete healing without complications. Allow about 4 weeks for recovery from surgery. The tooth often appears normal. If it darkens, a plastic dental veneer can be applied to make it cosmetically acceptable.

Postoperative Care

GENERAL MEASURES

• Do not rinse your mouth, spit, smoke or use drinking straws for 24 hours after surgery.
• Beginning 24 hours after surgery, rinse your mouth with a solution of 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. lukewarm water every 1 or 2 hours.
• Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush in the area not affected by surgery. A clean mouth heals faster.
• Do not bite down on the affected tooth until healing is complete.

† You may use non--prescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, for minor pain.

ACTIVITY--Avoid vigorous exercise for 6 weeks after surgery.

DIET-Resuming your normal food and fluid intake will promote more rapid healing. If your regular diet is too difficult, try a high--protein liquid diet for 2 or 3 days. Avoid alcoholic beverages until healing is complete.

Call Your Doctor If

† Pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding increases in the surgical area.

• You develop signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness or a general ill feeling and fever.
• You experience nausea or vomiting.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.