Plaque Build Up

[ESchmidt86]

It has been 16/17 years since I've been to the dentist. I have severe plaque/tarter build up on my two front teeth. There is some on the back, but the gum is receded deeply on the front. If I push forward with my tongue and hold my finger in front of the tooth, I can feel it shift, but not when I push on it on it's own (I've not done this often, I don't want to worsen the situation).

So my question is what are the realistic odds of losing these two teeth? One has more recession than the other. My dentist told me she won't know if there's any bone loss until they are cleaned, but won't tell me odds of losing them. If there is no bone loss, but the tooth is loose, what are my options for saving it? The tooth next to it is behind and twisted (I had 4 tooth pulled at once as a young child, and there wasn't enough room for them to come in).

 

[Gordon]

No chance anybody here can answer this for you, sorry. We'd need to examine you and have x-rays to even make a rough guess

 

[Warman2019]

It has been 16/17 years since I've been to the dentist. I have severe plaque/tarter build up on my two front teeth. There is some on the back, but the gum is receded deeply on the front. If I push forward with my tongue and hold my finger in front of the tooth, I can feel it shift, but not when I push on it on it's own (I've not done this often, I don't want to worsen the situation).

So my question is what are the realistic odds of losing these two teeth? One has more recession than the other. My dentist told me she won't know if there's any bone loss until they are cleaned, but won't tell me odds of losing them. If there is no bone loss, but the tooth is loose, what are my options for saving it? The tooth next to it is behind and twisted (I had 4 tooth pulled at once as a young child, and there wasn't enough room for them to come in).

The quicker you get them cleaned the more chance you have of saving them if you have lost bone etc, im sure it wont be that bad once they are cleaned.. please get an appointment and once its done you wont look back

 

[Jen615]

Having bone loss doesn't mean a tooth needs to be extracted. I have bone loss per x-rays (none of my teeth are mobile though) and the dentist doesn't see any reason I won't be keeping them all as long as I commit to cleanings every three months. I think a dentist can splint the tooth if it IS wobbly. Good luck!

 

[ESchmidt86]

The calculus has pushed the gums down a lot - though I'm hoping once the calculus is gone, and the gum swelling stops and tightens up, it will adhere better and a gum graft will be possible.

I'll find out Friday! I'm getting nervous. I emailed my dentist and asked for valium again for Friday morning.

I know the tooth can be splinted, but I'm not sure how because the tooth to the side is twisted and sits behind the others.

Honestly I'm just trying to tell myself if I lose the two teeth, and I can keep my others, I will have only lost 3 teeth total and considering I haven't gone in 16 years, I'll count my blessings, because I know I can do implants/crown on the front teeth and fix that, and I'm blessed to be able to afford financially to do so.

But the anxiety comes in waves. Last night I was hyperventilating and crying, today I was excited, and tonight I'm in a mode of acceptance, because avoiding it only makes it worse now.

 

[Warman2019]

Try and think of the final goal and not so much on the present, although sometimes that can be easier said than done but please think that in 6 months time you will probably look back and wonder why you were so worried!! good luck

 

[ESchmidt86]

Try and think of the final goal and not so much on the present, although sometimes that can be easier said than done but please think that in 6 months time you will probably look back and wonder why you were so worried!! good luck

I certainly hope this is the case! 24 hours from now, I'll have answers.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Wishing you the best possible news and outcome

 

[Enarete]

All the best wishes, may all go well! Keep us posted.

 

[ESchmidt86]

I'm going to write a new post about my entire experience - but it looks like I will keep all of my teeth. My dentist says she saw some bone loss at the root, but the teeth are not anymore loose than they already were pre-plaque removal. So all in all, good news. Might need a gum graft in the future.

 

[Jen615]

I'm so glad to hear that!