A tooth that has been completely knocked out, a condition known as avulsion, requires immediate professional dental attention for the best chance of survival. The impulse to quickly reattach the tooth yourself using a household adhesive is understandable, but the direct answer is a resounding no. Using common glues is dangerous and will cause more harm than good to the tooth and the delicate tissues in your mouth. The viability of the tooth relies on preserving the living cells on its root surface, a biological process that is incompatible with any non-medical adhesive. A dentist must intervene quickly to perform a specialized procedure called replantation.
Immediate Steps After a Tooth Comes Out
The first few minutes after a tooth is knocked out are important for successful reimplantation, as the survival of the tooth depends on the health of the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells attached to the root. Gently rinse the tooth with water to remove any visible dirt, holding it only by the crown (the chewing surface). Do not scrub the root or remove any tissue fragments, as this destroys the PDL cells necessary for the tooth to reattach to the jawbone.
The time the tooth spends outside the mouth should be minimized, ideally to less than 30 to 60 minutes, and it must be kept moist. If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket, but do not force this. If immediate reinsertion is not feasible, the tooth should be transported in cold milk or a specialized medium, which helps preserve the PDL cells. Saline solution or holding the tooth inside the cheek pocket are other acceptable short-term storage methods.
Hazards of Using Household Adhesives
Attempting to glue a tooth back into the socket with household adhesives, such as super glue or industrial products, introduces significant risks to your oral health. These common glues contain toxic chemicals, like cyanoacrylates, which are not formulated for living tissues. They can cause chemical burns or severe irritation to the gums and mouth lining, and ingesting small amounts poses a systemic health risk.
The glues are counter-productive because they form a rigid, non-sterile bond that prevents the natural healing process necessary for the tooth to re-integrate. Adhesives coat and kill the microscopic periodontal ligament cells on the root surface, which are required for the bone and tissue to accept the tooth back into the socket. Furthermore, the heat generated by some glues as they set (an exothermic reaction) can cause irreversible thermal damage to the remaining tissues in the tooth socket. A botched DIY attempt also complicates the subsequent professional procedure.
What a Dentist Does to Replant the Tooth
When you arrive at the dental office, the dentist will first clean the tooth and the socket thoroughly, often using a sterile saline solution. They will then assess the viability of the PDL cells and the condition of the socket using X-rays to check for any associated bone fractures. The tooth is then carefully placed back into its original position in the socket, a precise step that a non-professional cannot replicate accurately.
To stabilize the newly replanted tooth, the dentist uses a flexible splint, not glue, to attach it to the adjacent healthy teeth. This splint is typically a thin wire or fiber embedded in a composite resin, designed to allow slight physiological movement during the initial healing period. This stabilization promotes the reattachment of the periodontal ligament fibers to the bone, a process that usually requires the splint to remain in place for one to two weeks. The dentist will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the healing, which often includes a root canal procedure to prevent future infection.