Symptoms & conditions
Loose tooth
The short answer
An adult tooth that's visibly mobile is always a clinical problem. Causes range from advanced gum disease (most common) to trauma, grinding, or a vertical root fracture. Stabilisation sometimes possible; sometimes the tooth is past saving. Book within a few days.
What's happening
The clinical picture
Each tooth sits in bone, held by a ligament. Mobility means one or more of: bone has been lost around it (periodontitis), the ligament has been stretched or damaged by impact, the root has fractured vertically (usually only visible on CBCT), or a previous large filling has undermined the tooth. The earlier we assess it, the more options. A tooth that's 1mm mobile might stabilise with periodontal treatment and splinting; a tooth that's 3mm mobile usually can't be saved.
Warning signs
Contact us the same day if:
- Tooth that moves on tongue pressure
- Pain with biting on that tooth
- Gum recession around the loose tooth
- Recent trauma to the mouth
- Multiple teeth loose (severe periodontitis)
What we do
Our approach
Exam, periapical X-ray plus (if needed) CBCT to check for root fracture. If bone is salvageable: deep cleaning + possibly splinting to a neighbouring tooth while the ligament reattaches. If the tooth is past saving: controlled extraction + discussion of replacement (implant, bridge, or partial). Honest: saving a hopeless tooth wastes money and delays the real fix.
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