How to treat loose teeth: The characteristics are extensive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues, which seriously affects chewing function. Combined with pus overflow, bleeding, bad breath and other symptoms, it brings extremely adverse effects on the physical and mental health of patients.
Although the causes of most tooth mobility are relatively complex, it was once considered a difficult disease to cure. However, in recent years, with the development of medical technology, its treatment effect has been continuously improving. After active treatment, many patients not only retain their affected teeth but also maintain chewing function.
Therefore, it is extremely necessary for patients to visit the hospital as soon as possible and get timely treatment; otherwise, it is very likely to cause premature loss of the affected teeth or even the loss of all teeth.
Tooth loosening is a chronic disease with a longer course of treatment. Due to its complex causes, the treatment methods are multifaceted. In systemic treatment, attention should be paid to enhancing the body's resistance, increasing nutrition, and strengthening physical fitness.
In local treatment, the main focus is on controlling inflammatory infections and learning the correct brushing method to maintain oral hygiene. Patients with dental calculus should regularly go to the hospital for treatment to thoroughly clean the calculus. Those with periodontal pockets, frequent swelling of the gums, and pus overflow need surgical treatment to remove granulation tissue within the periodontal pocket and subgingival calculus.
To enable regeneration of periodontal supporting tissues and restore functionality, wire ligation or splint fixation can be used so that loose teeth support each other, achieving relative stability and the ability to withstand a certain amount of force.
Loose teeth only occur under pathological conditions, not just in the elderly, but people of other ages may also experience loose teeth. First, it should be understood that under normal physiological conditions, teeth have a certain degree of horizontal movement, not exceeding 0.02mm, and axial movement is extremely minimal.
The physiological movement of teeth is generally not easily noticed. Only when inflammation, trauma, or destruction of periodontal supporting tissue structures occurs does the tooth movement exceed the physiological range, resulting in clinical tooth loosening. Alveolar ridge absorption reduces periodontal supporting tissues, which is the main reason for tooth loosening.
When alveolar bone resorption reaches more than half the root length, the crown-to-root ratio becomes imbalanced, causing tooth loosening. Occlusal trauma, such as bruxism at night, clenching teeth, early contact, cusp interference, overly high restorations, excessive orthodontic forces, acute trauma, etc., can lead to vertical alveolar bone resorption, wedge-shaped widening of the periodontal ligament space, and tooth loosening. When excessive occlusal forces are eliminated, the alveolar bone can repair itself, and the tooth's mobility returns to normal. In cases of acute periapical periodontitis or periodontal abscesses, tooth loosening can occur, and after the inflammation subsides, the tooth's mobility can recover.
After periodontal flap surgery, there may be temporary tooth mobility, which usually recovers several weeks post-operation. During pregnancy, menstruation, and long-term use of oral contraceptives, women may experience tooth loosening due to changes in estrogen levels.
Additionally, during physiological or pathological root resorption, such as during deciduous tooth replacement, cyst or tumor compression, tooth loosening may also occur. The measurement of tooth mobility involves using the handle of a dental instrument to push or shake the tooth bilaterally on the cheek (lip), tongue (palate) surfaces, mesial-distal directions, and vertically.
Records are divided into three grades: Grade 1 (I degree) slightly greater than physiological mobility, equivalent to less than 1mm; Grade 2 (II degree) from the normal position, shaking in any direction, mobility equivalent to 1-2mm; Grade 3 (III degree) from the normal position, shaking in any direction, mobility greater than 2mm, or vertical mobility appears. It is recommended to come to our hospital (Suzhou Dongwu Hospital) for treatment.