Dead tooth? - Dental Health Message Board

-CvC- · 05-01-2006, 05:52 PM

I have a tooth that appears to be dead. I bit something or the other a couple years ago and it twisted sideways. It was real uncomfortable for a while and then one day I bit something else and it twisted back into place. But now it's a different color than the others and it rocks back and forth in it's socket. I feel I could pull it out with my fingers pretty easily. But since I only have 11 teeth left (all on the bottom) I really don't want to part with it. Is there any way to revive this tooth? Any way to make it grow solid again in it's socket? Or will I just have to deal with it until it decides to fall out?

Thelma-Louise · 05-01-2006, 08:34 PM

It sounds like it has died based on its coloring however more important is the fact that it is mobile which means the roots have already started to separate from the bone. Only a trained dentist or endontist can tell you if it can be saved. I loosened my front teeth many years ago in an accident and they were able to wire them in for a few months and they were saved because they were able to reroot back into their sockets - but a tooth that is loose for some time is very questionable.

KIDINSANITY · 05-04-2006, 05:52 PM

Unfortunately, I have to agree with Thelma-Louise. I had one in the front that just started getting discolored over the years, turning what looked like gray. When I went to my dentist to have bridgework made for other reasons, he told me that I would want to include that front tooth in my bridgework because it was dead at the root level.. It would just continue to get darker and darker as the root died, then just fall out. You may want to pull it out or have it pulled for you and just let it heal.

Good Luck

JenniferE · 05-05-2006, 09:02 PM

Once a tooth is dead, it's dead. The discoloration is usually a good indication the tooth has completely died. Have an x-ray taken on the tooth to make sure there is no active infection surrounding the tooth. When teeth wiggle in the socket, it's most often due to a gingival infection or a combination of the tooth and gum infection, that had deteriorated some of the bone that helps hold the tooth in place. Sometimes, this area can be cleaned of the infection and gum surgery can be done to help save the tooth. There are some instances where the tooth has become loose due to trauma, which can cause the nerve to die, and the tooth naturally tightens back up as the tissue heals. In this case, I'd definitely make sure to have an x-ray done to make sure there is no active infection. Wiggling around in the jaw is not a good sign.