A Loose Tooth: The Reasons and Consequences

A baby's loose tooth can become the cause of celebration and a visit from the tooth fairy. On a adult a loose tooth can become real trouble. We loose our teeth only twice; First time when we are children and the second time is forever. A loose tooth means that there are problems with the ligaments suspending teeth in the socket and the occlusal forces caused by chewing.<!--more--> Besides, it can mean damage to the periodontal structures supporting our teeth, the jaw bone and gums.

A Loose Tooth: The Beginning

Not counting an obvious traumatic blow to the face, a ligament can be damaged because of three reasons; disease, excessive bite force or a combination of the previous two.

Advanced periodontal disease (Perio means around and dont means tooth) is connected with extensive bone loss. It results in secondary occlusal trauma. Such problem may occur when usual force is applied to the tooth but the ligaments cannot withstand then because of the extensive bone loss. Commonly, teeth are lost because of a disease. In case a person received a traumatic blow to the face, the reason for tooth loss is evident. In all cases, having such trauma requires help from professionals. Only then the teeth will heal properly and further damage will be omitted.

In case of trauma such as the one discussed previously, you can turn to Village Dental Medicine. They will help you solve the problem and prevent future problematic issues.

A Loose Tooth: What to Do?

Treating a loose tooth is both mechanical and biological.

Before having mechanical treatment done, make sure that you have passed the biological stage. It consists of treating periodontal disease in a special way, so that the periodontal attachment could heal.

Modifying forces are applied to the teeth during the mechanical stage, and the effects of force on the ligament are treated. The amount of biting force ( the result of the jaw muscles work or obtained during bruxism, biting and clenching) is modified. Each case is unique, so the approaches will be chosen accordingly to the intensity and source of the bite force. The degree of tooth loss also matters. Village Dental Medicine offers the best approach to solving these issues.

MOUTH GUARD: If a person has a bite outside the norm ( usually such cases are called bruxism ) then a special mouth guard can be used. This protective barrier is places between lower and upper teeth and helps to prevent the damage of teeth.

OCCLUSAL ADJUSTMENT: Such an adjustment allows reshaping the biting surface of the tooth in order to diminish the amount of force it gets. Sometimes an orthodontist will have to move a tooth into better alignment.

SPLINTING: In case teeth are joined together ( for example, like fence pickets ) the bite force is equally distributed among each tooth. According to the amount of bone loss and healing there are permanent and temporary options of splinting.

Never ignore tooth loss, if you leave it without special treatment provided by our Village Dental Medicine experts, the problem will get worse. Your dentist will examine your mouth cavity and conclude what treatment you need. Address Village Dental Medicine , New York City Dentist to obtain the more comprehensive assessment and the best treatment.