Can a Dentist Push a Tooth Back Into Place? Your Urgent Guide to Dental Trauma & Treatment

That sudden, scary moment—a tooth gets pushed back into your gums after a fall, an accident during sports, or bumping into something hard. You get worried. Is it fixable? Can a dentist put a tooth back into place? Is it too late? You’re not the only one with these questions, and the good news is, there’s a real chance to save your tooth—if you act fast.

A dental injury happens in seconds, but knowing what to do in the first moments can make a big difference between keeping a tooth or having more problems later. Let’s go over the facts, your options, and what to do next with understanding, simple answers, and useful advice.

In This Article

• What Is a “Pushed-In Tooth” (Dental Intrusion)?
• Can a Dentist Push a Tooth Back into Place? (The Quick Answer)
• When and How Can a Tooth Be Successfully Repositioned?
• How Dentists Reposition Intruded Teeth (Step-by-Step)
• Aftercare and Follow-Up: What Happens Next?
• Why It Sometimes Isn’t Possible (And What to Watch Out For)
• Possible Complications and What You Can Do
• Your Emergency Action Plan for Dental Trauma
• Frequently Asked Questions About Pushed-In Teeth
• Your Healthy Takeaway (Summary & Next Steps)

What Is a “Pushed-In Tooth” (Dental Intrusion)?

Let’s start simple: what just happened to your tooth?

A “pushed-in tooth” is called dental intrusion by dentists. Basically, your tooth gets forced deeper into the bone where it sits. It’s like pushing a stick too far into the ground. This is different from teeth that are knocked out all the way (those are called avulsion injuries) or just wiggly/loose (those are called luxation).

Why do teeth get pushed in?

• Falling down, like kids on the playground
• Getting hit in the mouth while playing sports
• Car or bike crashes
• Any sudden, strong bump to the mouth

Knowing what kind of injury happened makes a difference, because every type of injury needs a different treatment. “Pushed-in” means the tooth is still there—but jammed up further inside the gum and bone.

Can a Dentist Push a Tooth Back into Place? (The Quick Answer)

Yes, often—but only if you get help quickly.

Here’s the truth: Dentists can usually move pushed-in teeth back, but the sooner you get to them, the better the chances. Think of it like a door that’s only open for a short time—the more time passes, the harder it is to fix.

Remember:

• This is a real dental emergency. Don’t ignore it or try to wait it out.
• The faster your dentist sees the tooth, the better your chances.
• Trying to fix the tooth yourself can do much more damage. Leave it alone!

Dentists have special training and tools to gently move teeth back. Sometimes it’s by hand, sometimes using braces, or even minor surgery. Every situation is different.

When and How Can a Tooth Be Successfully Repositioned?

There isn’t just one answer—these things help your chances:

1. Time Since Injury

You may have heard “the golden hour” in emergencies. In dental injuries, the first few hours are the most important if you want the tooth to be healthy again.

2. How Bad the Tooth Is Pushed In

• A little bit pushed in: The tooth isn’t all the way up. These are the easiest to fix. Sometimes they even move back on their own.
• All the way pushed in: The whole top (crown) of the tooth is shoved into the bone. Harder to fix, but not always impossible.

3. Type of Tooth

• Baby teeth: Dentists often don’t push these back because it can hurt the grown-up tooth under it. They might just watch and wait, or carefully take out the tooth if needed.
• Adult teeth: Dentists work harder to save these, because you need them for life—especially front teeth.

4. How Grown the Tooth Is

If the tooth is still growing (in a kid), it heals better. If the tooth is already grown (in a teen/adult), it’s more likely to need a root canal.

5. How the Gum and Bone Look

If the tooth’s root or the bone around it are broken badly, or the tissue holding the tooth is torn apart, sometimes it can’t be put back.

6. Infection or Waiting Too Long

If you wait too long, the tooth can get stuck to the bone (called ankylosis) or get infected—making it too late to push it back. If it’s infected, dentists have to do things differently.

How Dentists Reposition Intruded Teeth (Step-by-Step)

Want to know what happens at the dentist? Here’s what they usually do:

Step 1: Emergency Check-Up

• Look and feel: The dentist checks how pushed in the tooth is, and sees if there’s swelling or other problems.
• Ask what happened: When and how did you get hurt? Knowing the timing matters.
• X-rays or 3D scans: These see how deep the tooth is, if there are breaks, and if there’s any infection.
• Nerve testing: Can the tooth still feel? Sometimes this is done later, as the first results may not be right.

Step 2: Picking the Right Way to Move the Tooth

Depending on your case, the dentist chooses what’s best:

1. Letting the Tooth Move Out on Its Own

• Used for kids and teeth that are not pushed in too far.
• The dentist watches for a few weeks to see if the tooth goes back into place.

2. Moving the Tooth by Hand

• The dentist uses gentle, steady pressure (using numbing medicine) to guide the tooth back.
• Think of putting a book back on a shelf carefully.

3. Moving the Tooth with Braces or Wires

• For teeth that can’t be moved right away, or when it’s safer to go slow.
• Braces or wires are used to gently pull the tooth out over weeks or months.

4. Surgery

• If nothing else works, or if the tooth is jammed deep in.
• The dentist may need to do a small surgery to move it.

Step 3: Holding the Tooth in Place

No matter how the tooth is moved, the next part is putting on a flexible splint:

• It’s a thin wire (held on by tooth-colored material) glued to your teeth in front.
• Usually stays on 2 to 4 weeks so the tooth can heal.
• The wire is bendy on purpose, so the tooth can heal well.

Step 4: Home Care and Medicine

• You’ll probably get pain medicine and maybe antibiotics to stop infections.
• The dentist will tell you how to keep your mouth clean, what to eat (soft foods!), and what to avoid.

Aftercare and Follow-Up: What Happens Next?

Moving a tooth back is only the start—you’ll need regular check-ups, good tooth brushing, and some patience. Here’s what happens after:

Pain and Medicine

• Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen help with pain and swelling.
• You might need antibiotics, especially if there’s a cut or a risk of infection.

Food and Cleaning

• Eat soft, easy foods like eggs, yogurt, and mashed potatoes.
• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush around the splint.
• Use a mouthwash if your dentist says so.

Follow-Up Appointments and X-Rays

You’ll see your dentist a lot at first, then less often over time:

• 1 week: Check the splint and how you’re healing.
• 2–4 weeks: Take off the splint (if ready), check if the tooth feels things, and take x-rays.
• 6–8 weeks: More checks.
• 6 months, 1 year, and every year: Long-term checks for problems.

Checking often matters because catching problems early makes fixing them easier.

What If More Help Is Needed?

• Root Canal: If the inside of the tooth (the nerve) dies, you’ll need a root canal.
• Crowns/Fillings: If the tooth changes color or chips, dentists can cover it up or fix it. See options for repairs and dental lab services here.
• Long-Term Checks: Problems like root damage can show up even years later. Dentists keep watching.

Why It Sometimes Isn’t Possible (And What to Watch Out For)

Dentists are skilled, but they can’t do it all. Some teeth just can’t be put back. Here’s when it may not work:

• Root or Bone is Broken Badly: If what holds the tooth is wrecked, you can’t keep it in place.
• Gum Fibers Are Gone: If the stuff that holds the tooth is too hurt, it can’t heal right.
• Waited Too Long: If you wait days, the tooth might stick to the bone (ankylosis) or get infected.
• Baby Teeth Problems: Sometimes it’s safer to take out baby teeth if they might mess up the adult tooth under them.

If your tooth can’t be moved back, the dentist will talk to you about other options, like making space for grown-up teeth, or using dental implants or bridges as a replacement.

Possible Complications and What You Can Do

Let’s be honest: dental intrusion is a big injury. Sometimes, even with perfect care, things go wrong. Here are some main problems:

1. Tooth Death (Pulp Necrosis)

If blood can’t get to the tooth, it dies—turns dark, gets sore, or infected. A root canal can sometimes save it if done soon.

2. Root Dissolving (Resorption)

This happens when the body starts to break down the root by mistake.

• Outside the Root: Starts from the outside.
• Inside the Root: Eats from the inside.

Neither is good. Regular x-rays help catch it early, and sometimes dentists can help.

3. Tooth Sticks to the Bone (Ankylosis)

The tooth “glues” to the bone and can’t move. This happens if you wait too long for help. It can make teeth look shorter, especially in kids who are still growing.

4. Infection or Abscess

If you see swelling, pain, or pus after the injury, see your dentist right away.

5. Color Changes

The hurt tooth might turn pink, yellow, or gray. This can mean a problem inside.

6. Tooth Loss

Even with the best care, sometimes a tooth can’t be saved. But today’s dentists can replace teeth very well, though it’s always better to keep your own if you can.

Your Emergency Action Plan for Dental Trauma

So, what should you do if a tooth gets pushed in?

1. Call Your Dentist—As Soon As You Can

Tell them it’s an emergency. They should get you in quickly or tell you where to go.

2. Control Bleeding

Use something clean (cloth, gauze, even a paper towel) and press gently. Don’t poke at the tooth.

3. Reduce Swelling

Put ice or a cold pack in a towel and hold it to the outside of your mouth.

4. Don’t Touch the Tooth

Don’t try to move it yourself. Don’t wiggle it. You could make it worse.

5. Rinse Your Mouth Gently

If there’s blood or dirt, use plain water to rinse. No mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or other things—water is enough.

6. Wait for the Dentist

Go to the dentist as soon as you can. Tell them how you got hurt and if you have any other injuries.

Special Note:

If a tooth is totally knocked out (not pushed in), what you do is different—find the tooth, hold it carefully, and get to the dentist fast. For a pushed-in tooth—don’t touch, just get help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pushed-In Teeth

Will my tooth look normal again after it’s fixed?

It might! Many teeth heal well if you get help fast, but you might need a root canal and check-ups. Sometimes the tooth might look a little different.

Does it hurt when they fix the tooth?

Most of the time, with numbing shots, it doesn’t hurt much. You might be sore after, but it’s usually mild.

Will my insurance pay for this?

A lot of dental plans cover emergencies, but check with your provider to be sure.

How long does healing take?

Splints stay on 2–4 weeks, but full healing, including check-ups, can take much longer—sometimes one year or more, just to be safe.

Can I prevent injuries like this?

Yes! Use a mouthguard playing sports, keep homes safe for little kids, and always see a dentist fast if there’s an injury. Want to see how night guards or protection devices are made? See night guard lab services here.

Your Healthy Takeaway (Summary & Next Steps)

In short:

• Dentists can often move a tooth back after it’s pushed in—but you have to act fast.
• Don’t try to fix a tooth yourself. Get a dentist to help as soon as you can.
• Expect several follow-up appointments, x-rays, and maybe extra treatments later.
• Sometimes teeth can’t be put back, especially with bad injuries or waiting too long. Your dentist will tell you what’s best.
• Wearing a mouthguard, acting fast after accidents, and seeing your dentist regularly will help keep your smile safe.

Remember:

If this happens to you or your child, you’re not alone. Dentists see these problems every day, and thanks to new tools and knowledge (like those from digital dental labs and better splints), saving your own tooth is often possible.

What Should You Do Now?

• If you or someone you know has a pushed-in tooth, call a dentist right away—don’t wait.
• Use the simple first-aid steps above until you get help.
• Stay calm. Acting quickly is the best thing you can do.

A healthy smile is worth it. You have the information and support you need. If you need repairs or help staying safe in the future, places like crown and bridge dental labs offer solutions just for you.

Let your dentist guide you—they know how to help you get your smile back.

For learning only. This article is not a replacement for a real dentist’s care. If you hurt your mouth or face, please see a dentist or doctor fast.