My teeth are loose

Question:

“Hello I am the age of 12 and I woke up to a loose premolar is there anything that i can do about it or will it fall out and never grow back?”

Answer:

Premolars are a part of our permanent set of teeth.  So, if you are sure that it’s a premolar that’s loose, and not one of your baby teeth (as baby teeth are significantly smaller than permanent teeth and can easily be mistaken for a premolar), then there is something else that is going on, and we highly recommend you visiting your dentist so that an x-ray can reveal the true culprit.

My tooth feels loose

Here are some reasons why teeth become loose:

• Periodontal disease. Localized aggressive periodontitis is less common form of periodontitis that may affect only a few teeth.
• Bruxism (habitual clenching or grinding of teeth, often especially at night). Many patients are night bruxers (grind their teeth while they sleep), and may not be aware of the habit.
• Trauma to teeth (resulting from sporting activities or other accident).
• Primary teeth (baby teeth) may become loose, as the new permanent teeth begin to erupt.
• Malocclusion
• Supernumerary teeth (extra teeth)

What is Malocclusion?

Let’s first define occlusion. Occlusion is simply the way the upper and lower teeth come together. Malocclusion means the upper and lower teeth aren’t in proper alignment (they don’t come together the way they should). Malocclusions are a big deal because extra pressure is sometimes placed on the bone surrounding the teeth. Malocclusion classification is divided into:

• Class 1 malocclusion
• Class 2 malocclusion (there’s also a class 2 division 1 malocclusion & a class 2 division 2 malocclusion)
• Class 3 malocclusion

What to do about Loose Teeth

The reason for the loose tooth must be found and treated, so proper diagnosis and treatment is necessary. This can only be done by a dentist (in your case, we recommend that your parents/guardians take you to see a pediatric dentist). General treatment options for loose teeth may include:

• Treating the periodontal disease.
• Allowing a primary (baby) tooth to naturally exfoliate (fall out).
• Orthodontic treatment.
• A night guard is sometimes prescribed to prevent grinding of teeth.
• Splinting teeth (joining them together) is sometimes recommended.

The treatment for each patient depends on the result of dental examination and diagnosis. Please recommend to your parents/guardians that you see a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) as soon as possible. The very best to you!

One tooth is longer than the others

Question:

Hello, I have a tooth on my lower level that … stands taller than the other lower teeth.  This is very obvious…at all times…when I’m talking.  It makes me very self-conscious.  I’m not interested in braces but I am interested in lowering that tooth’s visibility.  Is it possible to file a tooth down shorter?  I am interested so that this tooth can be the same visible height as the other lower teeth.  It would help me to feel more comfortable smiling, talking and just living day to day.  I am a single mother and do not have the funds to do much for myself, which is why I’m looking for a “simple” solution which does not require a huge financial commitment.  Please reply.  I can’t tell you how much this affects my day to day life.

Answer:

Thanks for submitting your question with us.  And we completely understand the huge link between teeth and self-confidence.  First we will explain exactly what’s going on in your mouth, and then we will examine several options for its correction.

Teeth Move Throughout Life

Throughout life, teeth continually grow and move.  For instance, if you have a missing tooth, notice that over time the tooth adjacent to it will slowly drift into that open space.  From what you are describing, it looks like that tooth in the back of your mouth does not have a tooth above it (opposing it) and that is why the tooth continues to erupt, or “grow taller.”  Until there is a tooth, or prosthetic device (partial denture, implant, etc.) placed above it to oppose it, the tooth will continue to erupt.

How to Fix the High Tooth

So, what are some immediate and cost effective options:

• Have the tooth adjusted – To answer your specific question, yes, you can have the tooth filed down.  However, keep in mind the anatomy of a tooth (please see our article here on tooth anatomy for more details).  The dentist can take away tooth structure (in dental terms, adjust the occlusion) so that the tooth can appear more in line with the surrounding teeth.  This is the most cost effective option.  However, there is a drawback.  There is only so much tooth structure that the dentist can take away before encroaching upon the dental pulp.  Once near the pulp, the health of the tooth will be jeopardized.  Also, as stated before, the tooth in question will continue to gradually grow taller if there is not a tooth opposing it.
• Have a crown placed on the tooth – This option involves a little more money.  But with this option, the dentist will reduce the tooth so that it is aligned with the surrounding teeth, and then place a crown over the tooth so that the tooth will no longer continue to erupt.

Several other options include extraction and replacement with an implant, or extraction and replacement with a cantilever bridge, or even extraction and partial denture.

The best treatment really depends on how much the tooth has erupted.

We hope this advice helps and good luck,

Save My Smile Team.