Having loose teeth can be very worrying for adults. Whether you have loose teeth due to trauma, severe gum disease or severe teeth grinding, loose teeth can be very painful to chew with and can impact your long term oral health. Fortunately, your dentist can use a tried and tested method called dental splinting to help save your loose teeth.
A dental splint can help by binding unstable, weak teeth to neighboring healthy teeth. This helps distribute bite pressures and gives the surrounding tissues in the gums and jawbone time to heal. This article will explain how dental splints help stabilize loose teeth, cover the different types of splints available and give important advice on caring for them.
Why Do Adult Teeth Become Loose?
Teeth should always be firmly rooted in the jawbone. Each root has tough fibers called the periodontal ligament to firmly attach the tooth root to the bone. These can become damaged due to disease or trauma.
Can Periodontitis Cause Loose Teeth?
– Periodontitis – This is chronic gum inflammation caused by bacterial plaque. Over time the bacteria destroys the periodontal ligament and bone in the jawbone causing loose teeth.
Can Trauma Make Adult Teeth Loose?
– Trauma – Accidents, sports injuries or sudden trauma can cause stretching or tearing of the periodontal ligament causing loose teeth.
Can Severe Bruxism Weaken Teeth?
– Severe bruxism – Constant clenching and grinding can cause extreme sideways pressure on the teeth causing them to weaken.
Can Localized Bone Loss Cause Loose Teeth?
– Localized bone loss – Localized infections or certain health issues can cause reduced bone in some areas of the root.
How Do Dental Splints Help Stabilize Loose Teeth?
Dental splints work by using the power of numbers. Your dentist will bind your loose teeth to neighboring stable teeth.
How Do Dental Splints Distribute Bite Pressure?
– Distribute pressure – Helps distribute heavy bite pressures evenly between multiple teeth.
How Do Dental Splints Stabilize Loose Teeth?
– Stabilized loose teeth – Keeps loose teeth in place allowing the sensitive periodontal fibers to heal.
Can Dental Splints Reduce Bone Movement?
– Reduce bone movement – Reduces micro movements helping to stabilize the jawbone.
Can Dental Splints Help Eliminate Pain?
– Eliminate pain – A solid splint will remove any pain and movement when biting down allowing you to comfortably chew your food.
What Types of Dental Splints Are Used by Dentists?
Depending on why your teeth are loose, how loose they are and if a temporary or permanent solution is required, your dentist will decide what type of splint is best for you.
What Are Temporary Dental Splints?
– Temporary splints – A fine wire or high strength fiber ribbon is bonded to the back of the affected teeth using tooth colored composite. This is an excellent option for temporary healing following trauma.
What Are Extra coronal Fiber Splints?
– Extra coronal fiber splints – The outer enamel surface is etched and then a strong glass fiber ribbon is bonded to the outside of the teeth.
What Are Intracoronal Rigid Splints?
– Intracoronal rigid splints – A small channel is cut into the biting surface of neighboring teeth. A metal or fiber rod is placed in the channel and then sealed using composite. This provides a very strong support.
What Are Permanent Crown or Bridge Splints?
– Permanent crown/bridge splints – If there is severe bone loss your dentist will make a set of joined crowns made from porcelain or ceramics.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Splinting?
There are many benefits to having your teeth splinted.
Can Dental Splinting Help Save Natural Teeth?
– Natural teeth – Keeping your natural teeth will help keep your jawbone at its natural height and avoid complicated extractions or expensive replacements.
Can Dental Splinting Support Faster Healing?
– Faster healing – Having your loose teeth stabilized means non surgical treatments such as scaling and root planning can be carried out much more effectively.
Can Dental Splinting Help Relieve Pain?
– Pain free – Removing movement will remove the painful pressure on your sensitive ligaments.
Can Dental Splinting Increase Confidence?
– Increased confidence – Knowing your teeth are solid will mean you can talk, smile and eat with confidence.
How Will My Dentist Decide If I Am Suitable for Splints?
Not all loose teeth can be splinted. Your dentist will carry out a full examination to ensure there is a high chance of success.
Will Full X-Rays Help Assess Your Teeth?
– Full x-rays – Detailed x-rays will be taken to see how much bone and root is left.
What Is Periodontal Probing?
– Periodontal probing – A delicate probe will be used to measure how deep your pockets are and if there is any active infection.
How Does Occlusion Affect Dental Splinting?
– Occlusion – Your dentist will look at how your top and bottom teeth fit together and identify any high points causing excessive pressure on your loose teeth.
Why Are Neighboring Teeth Important for Splinting?
– Neighboring teeth – The neighboring teeth need to have good bone support and healthy roots.
How Should You Care for Your Dental Splint?
A dental splint can create extra spaces for food and plaque to collect. It is vital to clean your teeth thoroughly everyday.
Should You Use Floss Threaders to Clean Your Splint?
– Use floss threaders – Regular floss won’t be able to go through your joined teeth. Use floss threaders or inter dental brushes to thread the floss under the splint wire.
How Should You Brush Around Your Dental Splint?
– Gentle brushing – Brush around your splint twice a day using a soft brush.
Can Antibacterial Mouthwash Help Keep Your Splint Clean?
– Antibacterial mouthwash – Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria.
Which Hard Foods Should You Avoid?
– Avoid biting hard foods – Avoid chewing hard foods such as apples, crusty bread, ice cubes and hard sweets with your front teeth.
Should You Wear a Night guard With Your Dental Splint?
– Night guard – If you suffer from teeth grinding wear a night guard over your splint.
What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Splints?
Does It Hurt to Have a Dental Splint?
No! Having a dental splint is a very gentle procedure. Your dentist will simply bond the splint to the outside of your enamel. There will be no sharp pain but you may feel some sensitivity in your gums for a few days.
How Long Can a Dental Splint Stay on My Teeth?
Temporary splints are worn for a few weeks to a few months whilst your ligaments heal. Fiber or permanent crown splints can be worn comfortably for many years with good home care and regular visits.
Can a Splint Help Without Treating My Gums?
No. A splint simply provides support. If your teeth are loose due to advanced periodontitis, your dentist will need to treat the bacterial infection using deep scaling or periodontal treatment.
My Splint Has Broken, What Should I Do?
If the bonding has come away or the wire has moved, contact your dentist as soon as possible. Don’t try to push or pull the splint with your tongue or fingers. Your dentist will be able to easily repair or bond the loose part during a quick appointment.
A dental splint can really help your loose teeth by distributing heavy bite pressures, reducing any acute pain and allowing your gums and bone to heal. By using a dental splint and looking after your teeth thoroughly with good home care, eating a healthy diet and attending regular check-ups you can keep your natural teeth and have a strong confident smile for years to come. Book an appointment with your dentist to discuss your options.