Accidents happen in an instant, on the sidewalk, on the court, in the car, and a blow to the mouth can chip, loosen, push, or completely knock out a tooth. How quickly and how well an injured tooth is treated has a major effect on whether it survives, which is why endodontists are trained specifically in the management of dental trauma.
If a tooth has been knocked out, time matters enormously. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, gently rinse away debris, and if you can, place it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If it cannot be replaced, keep it moist in milk or in your cheek and call us immediately. For chipped, loosened, or displaced teeth, prompt evaluation still makes a real difference.
At the office, Dr. Leong assesses the injury with focused testing and imaging to determine which teeth are affected and whether the pulp or root is involved. Treatment may include repositioning and stabilizing the tooth, monitoring the nerve over time, or performing root canal therapy when the pulp has been damaged. Because injuries to the developing roots of younger patients require special care, we tailor the approach to the individual.
Throughout, we coordinate closely with your general dentist so that function and appearance are fully restored once the tooth has stabilized. Dental trauma can be alarming, but with prompt, specialized care, many injured teeth can be saved and go on to serve you for years.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person examination. An evaluation confirms whether dental trauma management is right for your situation.
Benefits
- Prompt, specialist evaluation of injured teeth
- Evidence-based care for knocked-out and displaced teeth
- Stabilization and nerve monitoring to preserve the tooth
- Tailored care for adults and younger patients
- Coordinated restoration with your general dentist
What happens during treatment
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Rapid assessment
We evaluate the injury with focused testing and imaging to see which teeth and tissues are affected.
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Stabilize
Displaced or loosened teeth are repositioned and stabilized to support healing.
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Protect the nerve
We monitor the pulp over time and perform root canal therapy only if and when it is needed.
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Restore together
We coordinate with your dentist to restore full function and appearance once the tooth is stable.
What to expect at your visit
We prioritize trauma calls and move quickly to evaluate and stabilize the injury. We explain what happened, what we can do now, and what follow-up will look like, and we coordinate with your dentist throughout.
Is this right for you?
Seek care right away for a knocked-out, loosened, pushed-out, or chipped tooth, or any blow to the mouth that causes pain or bleeding. Prompt treatment gives an injured tooth its best chance.
Why patients choose Ocean Endodontics
Managing dental trauma is part of an endodontist’s core training. Dr. Leong brings that expertise, plus advanced imaging and a calm, reassuring manner, to some of the most stressful moments a patient can face.
Recovery & aftercare
Eat soft foods, keep the area clean, and attend all follow-up visits, since injured teeth need monitoring over weeks to months. Call us promptly if pain, swelling, or discoloration develops.
Cost & insurance
Trauma care may be urgent and staged over time. We keep you informed about each step and review costs and insurance as care progresses.
For details on coverage and payment options, see insurance & financing, and if this is your first visit, our new patient guide walks through exactly what to expect.
Related reading: Knocked-Out Tooth? What to Do in the First 30 Minutes in our Education Center.
We provide dental trauma management to patients across San Francisco’s west side, including Daly City, Lake Merced, and West Portal. See all the areas we serve.
