Something that "glues" your teeth together?

[macfoo]

Just came back from my second round of deep cleaning. I have some "wiggles" on the front four teeth on the bottom. I knew about this before the cleaning but the dentist pointed it out after the scaling and planing.

She mentioned that if the gums don't tighten up to make the teeth solid that they can put some type of composite on them to support them.

What is she talking about?

 

[Zzzdentist]

I can imagine having these four overly cheery fellows on your lower teeth certainly can be annoying, but you do have to admit they sure can carry a catchy tune!


Your dentist might be referring to what we like to call "splinting." It's where the dentist bonds composite resin on the tongue side of the lower front teeth to bridge them all together in effect helping to brace any loose ones. Usually a reinforcing wire can be placed as well to increase the strength of the splint. Due to the additional material, it is very important to keep the area clean by brushing and flossing with floss threaders.

Floss threaders are plastic flexible "needles" that you can use to loop the floss in between the teeth as the teeth will be joined together so the usual route will be blocked. Alternatively or in conjunction, small proxy brushes that resemble pipe cleaners can also be inserted to clean areas in between where there is enough room. Overall, splinting can reduce mobilities and offer weaker teeth some help from their neighbours.