If you discovered loose tooth in you mouth the reasonable question is “If tooth is loose can it be saved?” Let’s find out answer for the question. Describing the treatment of loose teeth is really far more complicated than this short evaluation will permit. For this reason, it is necessary for you to see your dentist or a periodontist for a detailed assessment and right medical diagnosis of what is causing your teeth to be loose. Nevertheless, what you are experiencing sounds like the end result of periodontal (gum) disease, where bone that usually supports the teeth (together with the periodontal ligament that connects bone to the teeth) is progressively lost.
What Causes Loose Tooth?
Looseness of teeth is the outcome of occlusal injury (“occlusal”– bite; “trauma”– injury) that can literally damage the staying gum structures of the teeth. Occlusal trauma comes in two varieties:
- Main occlusal trauma: an excess force applied to normal gum structures that is normally caused by parafunctional forces (” para”– beyond; “function”– normal range) such as clenching or grinding routines.
- Secondary occlusal trauma: regular biting forces applied to a tooth that has actually lost substantial bone assistance or periodontal accessory.
- A combination of both, in which extreme biting forces are used to damaged or reduced periodontal structures (teeth that have lost bone due to gum disease).
Looseness of teeth is primarily brought on by secondary trauma, as a result of bacterial plaque-induced gum disease. The approach to treatment of loose teeth is both biologic and mechanical. The biological method includes treatment of the gum disease that must be addressed first to supply an environment in which the periodontal accessory can heal.
Can a Loose Tooth Be Saved
Ok, if you have a loose tooth can it be saved? In some cases it is possible but you should react ASAP.
The mechanical technique involves modifying forces used to the teeth, dealing with the effects of the force on the periodontal ligament (the attachment system of the teeth to the bone) and also by modifying the quantity of biting force produced by the jaw muscles and received by the teeth during biting.
How to Save a Loose Tooth
This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, depending upon the degree of looseness of the teeth. Here is a summary of present methods:
- Occlusal (Bite) Change: First, the bite or occlusion (how the teeth fulfill together), can be adjusted by minor improving of the biting surfaces of the teeth so that they receive less force. This procedure is referred to as occlusal modification by selective grinding and requires understanding and ability of how bites work and function.
- Splinting: If the teeth are extremely loose, they can be splinted or collaborated like pickets in a fence so that any biting force is dispersed among groups of teeth rather than specific loosened up teeth.
- Temporary Splinting can be attained by joining the teeth together with:
- Extra-coronal Splints (“additional”– outside; “coronal”– crown): With this technique, splinting products are connected to a group of teeth typically by bonding to the enamel, hence making them more rigid.
- Intra-coronal Splints (“intra”– inside): These splints include cutting a small channel into the teeth, placing a stiff customized formed metal splint and bonding or cementing it in location to support the teeth.
- Long-term Or Fixed Splinting: This technique actually (and completely) “fixes” loose teeth together by crowning the affected teeth and making a splint in which the crowns are signed up with or merged together.
- Occlusal Splints Or Guards: If parafunctional clenching or grinding habits are evident, then a detachable occlusal splint or bite guard might even more secure the teeth from the consequences of excessive biting force.
- Considering that parafunctional forces and practices have the tendency to be stress associated, these detachable guards can be used during times of tension, stress or when these bad routines appear.
Another method that is sometimes used to treat loose teeth is by orthodontic treatment – to reposition teeth so that they receive forces more uniformly and appropriately. Nevertheless, it can be a complicated procedure – especially if there is underlying periodontal disease that needs to be managed before orthodontic treatment can be successful. When used correctly, the regulated forces used in orthodontics to move the teeth can actually be used to restore lost bone and produce new periodontal accessory.
The long term outlook or diagnosis of the teeth need to be considered prior to choosing treatment choices. While temporary splinting alternatives might purchase you a long time, the teeth themselves may need to be changed if the damage to the periodontal structures is severe. See your dentist or a periodontist for a complete examination and consultation to find out all your options.