loose tooth

[daufoi]

Hello,

I've had my braces (traditional) for a couple weeks now. About 1 week ago, I had some pain with one of my teeth and at the time I didn't think much of it. Now I realize that the tooth seems to be loose. When I press it with my finger, I can feel the root moving. I can't get a hold of my orthodontist and the secretary is telling me it's normal. Is that correct? I realize there is some pain associated with braces but should my teeth feel loose?

[Sunny]

Daufoi teeth need to loosen to move ... and that's what your tooth is doing. It's totally normal and is a good thing!

Good luck with seeing progress!

[daufoi]

Thanks Sunny. Do you know of any good references that describe the process? My orthodontist doesn't really tell me what's going to happen next or what to expect (i.e. loose teeth) and staying informed always helps.

[Sunny]

Click ortho/treatment/one.html" target="_blank">here for information about the phases of orthodontic treatment. This site has some more general information.

I'm sorry to admit I don't have the reference for this piece, but I recently found it and copied, as I expect it to be useful in my assignment work. If you search for some of the phrases using a search engine, you will hopefully find its origin.

Teeth Move Through Bone Remodelling

Bone remodelling is a biomechanical process responsible for making bones stronger in response to sustained load-bearing activity and weaker in the absence of carrying a load. Bones are made of cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Bone remodelling works like this: increase the load on a bone and osteoclasts are created which break it down in response to the load. Remove the load and osteoblasts are created which create new bony cells. Repeat the process through repetitive motion and eventually the bone density increases.

Your teeth are socketed in bone (your maxilla for the upper teeth, and your mandible for your lower teeth). As mentioned, surrounding each tooth is a Periodontal Ligament (PDL) which attaches it to the surrounding bone.

The PDL as a sort of messenger between the teeth and surrounding bony sockets. Pressure between the PDL and bone causes the bone to create osteoclasts and breakdown the bone to restore the normal spacing between the teeth and bone. The corresponding tension on the PDL behind the movement causes the bone to create osteoblasts, effectively building new bone to fill in the difference and restore the normal spacing between teeth and bone. Not a whole lot of force is necessary, only "some" force which is not normally present.

Enter the brackets and archwire - the artificial force needed to create and sustain the pressure.

Archwires are interesting things in that they tend to want to retain their normal shape. They are also some made of materials activated by body heat to increase stiffness. When it is put onto your teeth which as a braces patient need alignment, its desire to remain straight provides the forces necessary to get the biomechanical process of bone remodelling to begin and continue.

The osteoclast (breakdown) process takes about 72 hours to get fully going, the osteoblast (rebuild) process about 90 days. Stabilizing the result takes about 10 months (which is why it is important to wear your retainer to avoid a relapse of the original or some intermediate positions).

The best person to get information from, about your treatment, is your orthodontist. Please continue to ask him questions, as this should help his communications skills.

Good luck!

[daufoi]

I found that one here:

How orthodontic braces work to straighten your teeth

[Zoso]

A certain amount of mobility is indeed to be expected. But if you are nervous and feel like your tooth is too loose, schedule an appointment and head in to see your orthodontist, even if only for your own peace of mind.

[jjoobie]

I am experiencing the same thing on one of my bottom front teeth. I freaked out at first, but now I am actually excited. I can feel them working and that makes me happy. I have had my braces on since Nov. 25th.
Good luck everyone.

[EighthPlanet]

Hey I'm new, but one of the things I've been reading is that your teeth will sometimes feel loose like that.

[Hayleylynn]

Im really worried because the tooth that has felt like that for awhile and it feels like it isn't getting any better. I know teeth are suppossed to get loose to move but why would only one of my teeth feel this way. It also has a weird feeling like its numb or something? I can't really describe it. But it has me really worried! It still hurts a little when I touch it none of my other teeth do.

[Sunny]

Contact your ortho and discuss this with the persons who's the specialist! Good luck!

[Emilky]

Hayleylynn.... I'm feeling exactly the same. I have 2 teeth feeling wobbly. I rang the orthodontic and they reassured me it's normal. I've even been dreaming about them falling out!! Kind of feels like either the tooth is loose or the bracket isn't on properly, but I know it is, so it has to be the tooth!! It's been like this for 2 weeks now. I'll give it one more week, then go back to see them as it's very worrying!!:-)

[Hayleylynn]

Hey Emilky, My tooth still feels loose but I don't notice it as much. My orhtodontist has checked it and tells me its normal.. It still hurts when he changes the little wire tire around the bracket though... and it only hurts on that tooth. My dentist took an xray and said she can tell its moving cause theres space between the root of the tooth. Maybe your tooth is feeling more loose because they are the ones that have to move the most?

[BraceLace]

Im really worried because the tooth that has felt like that for awhile and it feels like it isn't getting any better. I know teeth are suppossed to get loose to move but why would only one of my teeth feel this way. It also has a weird feeling like its numb or something? I can't really describe it. But it has me really worried! It still hurts a little when I touch it none of my other teeth do.

Its almost been a month for me since I got my braces on. The teeth the require the most movement currently hurt. But, I've noticed that for a day another tooth might hurt and then its fine. Its been like that with at least 4 teeth. Its all part of the process I guess. Oh, and stop touching it if it hurts :P