Splinting loose teeth
tooth splinting · dental splint · stabilizing loose teeth
The dentist joins loose teeth to their neighbors with a thin strip or wire. This helps the teeth hold more firmly.
When teeth are loose because of gum disease or after an injury.
⏱ Duration: usually 30 to 90 minutes
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Teeth. Brush your teeth before the visit.
- Cleaning. A professional teeth cleaning is often done first. Ask the clinic.
What to bring
- Your ID
- Dental X-rays, if you have them
How it goes
- The teeth are cleaned of plaque
- Sometimes numbing is given
- A small groove is made on the inside of the teeth, or the surface is simply prepared
- The strip or wire is laid in place
- It is fixed with filling material and light
- The bite is checked
What you'll feel
- Usually painless, with some pressure
- For the first days you can feel the splint with your tongue
Afterwards
- Clean around the splint with a small brush and floss
- Do not bite hard food with these teeth
- Continue gum treatment if it was prescribed
- Come to check-ups at the set time
Contact a doctor straight away if
- The splint has chipped off or broken
- Swollen gum, pain, pus
Common questions
Is the splint permanent?
It varies. After an injury it is temporary, and with gum disease it can stay for a long time. The doctor decides.
Can I eat normally with a splint?
Almost, but it is best not to bite hard food with the splinted teeth.