Wiggly Tooth

[lipsaresealed]

When I was twelve years old I under-went thirteen sedated oral surgeries. It was originally supposed to be one, but there were complications which caused the additional twelve. Additionally I have had two extraction experiences that I was not fully numbed for. Thus my dental phobia.

Flash Forward - Now I am 26. I have been out of braces for nearly eight years. The past couple years I have worn my orthodontic retainer at night off and on, but in the past week I have begun to wear it regularly. My teeth are moving nicely back in place. At the time of my oral surgeries and braces I was informed that my two front teeth have short roots. They were slightly wiggly, but thought to cause no future concerns.

Recently I have noticed my right front tooth is very sensitive (it is moving the most with my retainer now) and both front teeth are equally wiggly... it is slight, but still more than other teeth.

And, possibly due to the increased tenderness of my right front tooth, my attention is drawn to the tooth. In my opinion, the right tooth appears to be hanging slightly longer than the left tooth. I did measure both crowns though and they are each exposed the same amount. I am rambling at this point. Just looking for some reassurance that some movement is typical, especially with shorter roots, and recent shifting from the retainer.

I have dental insurance but it is HMO and I can't see my usual dentist until I upgrade to a better package in my work's next re-enrollment... in December! So I am looking for just enough reassurance to get me there. Should I just stop wearing the retainer for now? I assume if the tooth is not falling out or turning colors then it is probably fine. Oh and my gums appear great!

I've attached a photo. I look 'scary' because I am curling up my lips to show my gums. BTW don't worry about the receeding gums on the teeth right next to my front teeth... they have been like that since my oral surgeries. See, I actually lost the two permanent teeth that do there and they just moved my two canine teeth over and filed them down to look right. At some point I may have a gum graft but not soon. ** Also, when I said my 'right' tooth... it of course appears on the left in the picture. **

 

[Zzzdentist]

You might want to check with your dentist about the wiggly teeth and about continuing to wear your retainer. I hear that a lot of orthodontists recommend wearing retainers forever if you don't want relapse to occur, but in some cases people can do fine without them with minimal movement of their teeth. Some just need a lingual retainer bonded into place.

As long as the mobility isn't too bad, and the teeth are healthy the movement might not be a big concern. There always will be slightly differences in the position of the teeth, and looking at your photo the right incisor does appear just slightly lower, but it's just a hair off.