While you should absolutely never attempt to use household glues or adhesives to fix a loose tooth yourself, professional dental procedures can involve using special adhesives to stabilize a loose tooth.
Understanding Tooth Stability
Teeth are normally held firmly in place by the bone and gums surrounding their roots. However, teeth can become loose due to injury, gum disease, or other dental issues. A loose tooth requires professional assessment to determine the cause and the best course of treatment.
Professional Tooth Stabilization: Splinting
One method a dentist may use to secure a loose tooth, particularly after an injury or as part of periodontal treatment, is called splinting. This procedure helps to stabilize the tooth by connecting it to one or more adjacent, stable teeth.
According to the provided information:
- Splinting involves tethering the dislodging tooth to a neighbouring anchored tooth.
- This is achieved by using a strong adhesive resin to bond the loose tooth to its stable neighbor.
- The adhesive resin effectively acts like a "glue" in a controlled dental environment, creating a stable unit that allows the loose tooth to potentially heal or be maintained.
Think of it like creating a temporary brace that holds the loose tooth in place, reducing movement and giving it a better chance to heal or preventing further mobility.
After the Splinting Procedure
Once the teeth are joined using the adhesive resin, they function as a single unit. This requires some adjustments in daily care:
- Extra attention and inspection are needed when brushing and flossing around the splinted teeth.
- Your dentist will provide specific instructions on how to clean the area effectively to prevent plaque buildup and maintain oral hygiene.
In summary, while you cannot "glue" a loose tooth yourself with non-dental products, a dentist can use professional techniques like splinting with specialized adhesive resin to stabilize a loose tooth.
