Can a loose tooth be saved?

If I have a loose tooth, can it be saved?

A loose tooth can cause havoc with your daily life, as you can experience a great deal of discomfort. Eating and drinking becomes a hazardous exercise and it is for this reason, that you must contact your dentist as soon as you notice a loose tooth, so that they can take preventive measures to save it.

Loose teeth are caused by a number of issues, but the most prevalent is gum disease. This affects the gum, and in extreme cases, causes it to recede leading to a greater risk of decayThe lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of tooth structure. to the rootThe anatomic portion of the tooth that is covered by cementum and is located in the alveolus (socket) where it is attached by the periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of tooth. and also the loss of bone support causes the tooth to loosen. In this scenario, the gums may need a deep clean and the disease needs to be addressed in order to protect the tooth in the future. Trauma from injuries or issues such as grinding teeth can also lead to a tooth loosening, however there is a solution.

Perhaps the most common method of stabilizing a loose tooth, is through a treatment known as splinting. This is when a loose tooth is attached to a neighbouring tooth using resin and wire. The ligaments under the tooth heal during this period providing greater solidity.

Despite these techniques, there are some cases where the tooth can’t be saved. The gum disease may have become too severe at which point saving the tooth becomes impossible. In this case, the dentist may have to extract the toot. Thankfully, in modern dentistry a dental implant, which looks indistinguishable from your natural teeth, can be fitted if appropriate.

The most important action you can take, is contacting your dentist as soon as you feel any looseness. The longer you wait the less chance there is of saving your tooth. Ensuring you regularly attend routine dental check-ups is advisable to try catch any oral health issues as early as possible..

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