Patients often ask if they can keep an extracted tooth for sentimental reasons, such as after a wisdom tooth removal or a complex procedure. In most cases, you can keep your tooth, but the process is subject to specific clinical protocols and legal considerations that the dental office must follow for safety.
Patient Rights and General Protocol
Once a tooth is removed, it is classified as personal property, often referred to as a human tissue product. The patient generally has the right to request and receive the extracted tooth. However, the tooth is simultaneously classified as a biohazardous material because it is contaminated with blood and other potentially infectious bodily fluids.
The dental office must manage the specimen according to strict infection control standards. When the patient takes possession of the tooth, the specimen is no longer subject to the clinic’s biohazard disposal regulations. To complete this transfer, the dental team will first clean the tooth to remove any visible blood or tissue residue.
A standard office protocol includes asking the patient to sign a release or waiver form. This document acknowledges that the patient is voluntarily taking possession of a biological specimen that may contain infectious material. Signing this form formally transfers responsibility for the specimen’s safe handling and ultimate disposal from the dental practice to the patient. This step ensures the practice meets its regulatory obligations while honoring the patient’s request.
Medical Reasons for Refusal
While most routine extractions permit the patient to keep the tooth, there are specific medical circumstances where a dental professional must refuse the request. This refusal is based on a requirement for diagnostic testing. If the extracted tooth has any suspicious soft tissue attached, such as a cyst, tumor, or unusual lesion, the entire specimen must be sent to a pathology laboratory for immediate analysis.
The tooth itself becomes a necessary part of the diagnostic sample, which a pathologist examines microscopically to determine if the growth is benign or malignant. Retaining the specimen for this biopsy procedure is a medical necessity that takes precedence over the patient’s request. The dental team is obligated to ensure the specimen is preserved in a fixative solution, such as formalin, and delivered promptly for diagnosis.
The dental office also has the right to refuse release in rare cases of severe infectious disease where the specimen poses an unusually high risk to the patient or others upon handling. While standard cleaning protocols address routine biohazard risks, an extremely infectious case could necessitate the specimen’s immediate disposal in a regulated medical waste container to protect public health.
Safe Preparation and Long-Term Storage
The first step after receiving the extracted tooth is to ensure any remaining blood or tissue is removed. This can be accomplished by gently scrubbing the tooth with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or detergent under running water. After the initial cleaning, the tooth must be disinfected to prevent potential bacterial growth and decay.
A concentration of one part bleach to ten parts water is recommended for effective decontamination. The tooth should remain submerged in this sodium hypochlorite solution for up to 72 hours before being thoroughly rinsed with clean water. Alternatively, a soak in hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl alcohol can also serve as a disinfectant.
If the tooth has a silver-amalgam filling, it should not be sterilized using high heat, such as boiling, because of the risk of mercury vaporization. For long-term preservation, the tooth can be placed in a small, sealed container and stored dry, which is suitable for simple keepsakes. To prevent the tooth from becoming brittle or cracking over time, it can be stored submerged in a liquid medium like mineral oil or glycerin in an airtight vessel.