Knocked-Out Tooth in Overland Park? Here's What to Do in the Next 30 Minutes

Name: Love To Smile
Address: 10925 Antioch Rd. Ste. 201 Overland Park, KS, 66210
Telephone: 913-491-1200
Price range: $$

Written by Dr. Esther Pedersen, MAGD
Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, a designation held by less than 2% of U.S. dentists. Diamond+ Invisalign Provider serving Overland Park, KS and Peculiar, MO. Last reviewed 2026.

A knocked-out tooth — what dentists call a dental avulsion — is one of the few true dental emergencies. The good news: most knocked-out adult teeth can be saved if you act within 30–60 minutes. The bad news: most people lose the tooth because they panic and do the wrong thing first.

Here’s exactly what to do, in order.

Call Now: 913-491-1200

Step 1: Find the tooth (and handle it correctly)

Locate the tooth. Handle it by the crown (the white part) — never by the root. The root has delicate periodontal ligament fibers that are essential for re-attachment.

If the tooth is dirty, do not scrub it. Gently rinse for 10 seconds under cool water — that’s it.

Step 2: Try to re-insert it (if you can)

If the tooth is intact and the socket is open, gently re-insert the tooth into the socket in its natural orientation. Bite down gently on a clean cloth or gauze to hold it in place. Re-implantation within 5 minutes gives the highest survival rate.

If you can’t re-insert it (broken pieces, can’t position correctly, child wouldn’t keep it in), move to step 3.

Step 3: Store the tooth correctly

Best storage option: milk. The pH and minerals approximate the tooth’s natural environment.

Second best: saliva (in your cheek if you can keep it safe, or in a cup spit into).

Third best: saline (contact lens solution works in a pinch).

NEVER use water — the osmotic balance kills the periodontal ligament cells in minutes.

NEVER let the tooth dry out — within 60 minutes of dry storage, the chance of successful re-implantation drops dramatically.

Step 4: Call Love To Smile immediately

Call 913-491-1200 as you head toward our Overland Park office.

We reserve same-day emergency slots every weekday morning specifically for situations like this. Tell us you have an avulsed tooth — we’ll prep for re-implantation before you arrive.

After hours or weekend? Call anyway — voicemail will direct you to emergency contact.

Step 5: What we’ll do when you arrive

Re-implant the tooth (if not already in place), splint it to adjacent teeth to stabilize during healing, take a follow-up X-ray, and schedule reviews at 1, 4, and 8 weeks.

About 90% of properly handled re-implanted teeth survive long term. The other 10% may eventually need a root canal or, ultimately, replacement with an implant.

What if it’s a baby tooth?

Do not re-implant baby teeth. Re-implanting a baby tooth can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.

If a baby tooth is knocked out, just clean the area gently, control bleeding with gauze, and call us — we’ll evaluate and recommend next steps.

Prevention going forward

Most knocked-out teeth come from sports or accidents. If you or your child play contact sports, ask us about a custom-fit mouthguard — much more protective than the boil-and-bite store version, and we can make them in 1–2 visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a knocked-out tooth always be saved?

No — but most can if handled correctly and re-implanted within 30–60 minutes. The single biggest factor is keeping the periodontal ligament cells alive: don’t scrub the root, don’t let it dry, and don’t store it in water.

What if I can’t get to the dentist within an hour?

Storage matters enormously. In milk or saliva, the tooth can survive 1–6 hours. After that, success rates drop significantly. Call us immediately and we’ll guide you on the best path.

Will my insurance cover emergency tooth re-implantation?

Most PPO insurance covers emergency exams and treatment. We file claims for you and provide written estimates of any out-of-pocket cost before non-emergency follow-up work.

My tooth chipped — is that an emergency too?

Depends. A small chip with no pain can usually wait until business hours. A large fracture exposing the inner tooth (especially if painful) should be seen same-day to prevent nerve infection.