Can a Loose Tooth Fix Itself
As an adult, it is not uncommon to experience a loose tooth but it is still cause for concern and should be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible. There are a number of reasons a tooth can become loose including accident or injury, underlying medical issues, or gum disease. Depending on the case, a loose tooth does have the potential of healing and tightening back into place on its own but without proper care, a loose tooth can quickly become a lost tooth!
If you experience a trauma to your mouth during physical activity or some sort of accidents such as a fall or vehicle collision, one or more teeth may come loose. Teeth that become loose due to an injury may be able to heal on their own if the mobility is minor. It is important to make sure proper care is taken while the loose tooth heals which includes avoiding chewing on the tooth. It is important to have your dentist take a look to make sure that no treatment is necessary in order to ensure the tooth does not need to be extracted.
Teeth that have become loose due to gum disease will definitely require treatment. Your dentist may be able to provide treatment with a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing. This is only appropriate for gingivitis or even mild periodontitis but patients that have advanced periodontitis will need to receive specialized treatment from a periodontist.
Treatment For A Loose Tooth
Once the cause of your loose tooth is identified, your dentist will plan the appropriate treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing
Minor mobility caused by gum disease may be treated with scaling and root planing which is a deep cleaning that requires local anesthetic and is typically done in two or more visits. Once treatment is complete, your gum tissue is able to heal and reattach to the tooth surface where it should be. Patients that receive a scaling and root planing often need to have more frequent professional cleanings in the future to prevent reinfection.
Bone and Gum Graft
A bone graft or soft tissue graft can help heal the area around a loose tooth by rebuilding the supporting structures that teeth need to remain stable. Advanced gum disease can cause not only soft tissue to recede from the gum line but can actually cause bone deterioration. A periodontist or oral surgeon can perform a bone graft at which point they will remove any affected bone structure and replace it with donor bone or synthetic bone.
A gum graft removes the infected gum tissue which is then replaced with healthy soft tissue taken from another area of the patient's mouth and stitched over the affected area.
Splinting
If one tooth is loose due to an accident, you may be able to have the tooth splinted. A piece of metal is bonded to the back of the loose tooth and to stable, neighboring teeth on each side of the loose tooth. This provides support to the loose tooth to keep it from moving while the underlying tissue and ligaments heal.
If a loose tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be extracted at which point you and your dentist will discuss restoration options such as a dental bridge or implant. It is crucial to seek treatment if you notice a loose tooth. If you take a hit to the mouth and do not notice a loose tooth right away, keep an eye on the area for a few days because a tooth can become loose days after injury.