At Inima Dental Clinic Marbella, we understand that accidents can happen at any time. A strong impact or fall may result in the complete loss of a natural tooth, causing both aesthetic and functional concerns. In certain cases, there is an effective but lesser-known solution: dental reimplantation.
Here’s everything you need to know about this emergency treatment, when it’s possible, and how to act in the event of tooth avulsion.
What is dental reimplantation?
Dental reimplantation is an emergency procedure where a natural tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket is reinserted into place. The goal is to preserve the natural tooth and restore both its function and appearance.
This can be a temporary or long-term solution, depending on how well the tooth reintegrates with the bone.
When is reimplantation possible?
Tooth reimplantation is only feasible in cases of complete avulsion, and speed is critical. Key factors include:
Time out of the socket: Ideally, the tooth should be reimplanted within 30–60 minutes of the incident.
Condition of the tooth: The tooth must be kept moist and clean, without being scrubbed or disinfected aggressively.
Patient’s age: Reimplantation is more successful in younger patients, especially children and teenagers, due to better healing.
What should you do if a tooth is knocked out?
Pick up the tooth by the crown, not by the root.
Rinse it gently with saline or water if dirty—do not scrub.
If possible, try to place it back into the socket.
If not, store it in milk, saline solution, or your own saliva.
How is a tooth reimplantation performed?
The socket is carefully cleaned.
The tooth is reinserted into its original position.
A temporary splint is used to stabilise the tooth.
Antibiotics, a soft diet, and specific oral hygiene instructions are prescribed.
Follow-up visits are necessary to monitor progress.
In some cases, a root canal treatment may be required if the nerve is damaged.
What if reimplantation fails?
If reimplantation is not successful, the tooth may undergo resorption or necrosis. In such cases, other restorative options include:
Dental implants
Dental bridges
Removable or fixed prostheses
At Inima Dental Clinic, we act fast to save your smile
At Inima Dental Clinic Marbella, our team of experts and state-of-the-art technology ensure that we are ready to handle dental emergencies, such as tooth avulsion, and perform dental reimplantation with high success rates.
If you or your child has suffered dental trauma and lost a tooth, act fast. Visit us right away — we’re here to help you preserve what matters most: your natural smile.