Tooth Luxation

What is tooth luxation?

Tooth luxation (tooth dislocation) happens when infection (like gum disease) or trauma (like a fall) disrupts the tissues, ligaments and bones that hold a tooth in place. It can also affect your tooth’s nerves and blood supply, leading to pulp damage.

Your teeth sit within the alveolar bone, the part of your jaw that contains your tooth sockets. Connective tissue fibers called periodontal ligaments attach the root of each tooth to your alveolar bone. Tooth luxation can affect all these structures.

No matter what causes it, tooth luxation can seriously impact your ability to eat and speak. It also leaves the door open for bacteria to invade the nooks and crannies around your tooth. There are treatment options that can help stabilize your tooth and keep your pulp healthy.

Types of tooth luxation

Tooth luxation can range from mild to serious. The five types of luxated teeth, in order of severity, are:

How common is tooth luxation?

Anyone can have tooth luxation, but it’s most common in children and young adults. In the United States:

• Luxation of permanent (adult) teeth makes up 18% to 33% of all dental injuries.
• Luxation of primary (baby) teeth makes up 21% to 81% of all dental injuries.

What are the symptoms of a luxated tooth?

A luxated tooth might be loose, angled or move out of the socket. In some cases, you might have tenderness, but no visible signs.

Luxated tooth symptoms may include:

• Bleeding gums
• Loose tooth
• Tooth pain
• Tooth sensitivity

What causes tooth luxation?

Dental trauma is the most common cause of tooth luxation, including:

• Bicycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Sports injuries
• Violent assaults

Other causes of tooth luxation include:

• Tooth decay
• Gum disease

Complications of tooth luxation

Possible complications of tooth luxation include:

• Ankylosis. This is when your tooth fuses to the bone and starts sinking into your gum tissue.
• Apical periodontitis. This is inflammation that starts around your tooth’s root tip.
• Inflammatory root resorption. This is a breakdown of your tooth’s root structure, which can cause your tooth to loosen
• Pulp canal obliteration (PCO). This involves hard tissue deposits along the walls of the root canal. PCO is usually painless but can lead to pulp necrosis (tissue death).
• Pulp necrosis. This happens when your tooth pulp dies. If you have pulp necrosis, your dentist may need to extract the whole tooth.

How is tooth luxation diagnosed?

To diagnose a luxated tooth, a dentist will ask about your symptoms and prior injuries. They’ll also do a physical examination.

During the exam, your dentist will:

• Check your tooth for any mobility (looseness).
• Do a pulp sensibility test to see whether there’s damage to the pulp.
• See whether your tooth is sensitive or tender to the touch.
• Take X-rays of your teeth.
• Tap your tooth to listen for high-pitched, metallic (ankylotic) sounds.

How is tooth luxation treated?

The goal of tooth luxation treatment is to stabilize your tooth and keep the pulp healthy. Depending on the type and severity of luxation, your dentist may:

• Apply calcium hydroxide to prevent inflammation inside your tooth
• Check the health of your tooth pulp during regular checkups
• Do a root canal and place a dental crown
• Reposition your tooth
• Splint teeth together for stability (this typically takes two to four weeks, depending on the type of luxation you have)

Can tooth luxation be prevented?

In many cases, tooth luxation results from accidental trauma — and you can’t always prevent that. But there are steps you can take to lower your risk:

• Wear a seatbelt when in a vehicle.
• Wear a helmet when skating or riding a bike.
• Wear a mouth guard if you play contact sports.

To reduce your risk of infection-related tooth luxation:

• Practice good oral hygiene.
• Visit your dentist for regular exams and cleanings.

What’s the outlook for tooth luxation?

Prompt treatment can save a luxated tooth in many cases, and it may serve you for many years. But providers can’t predict or guarantee how long your tooth might last.

If you have severe damage, your dentist may recommend removing your tooth and replacing it with a bridge or dental implant. Your dentist can help you weigh your treatment options.

How do I take care of myself?

To help protect your tooth after luxation repair, you should:

• Brush gently with a soft toothbrush after each meal
• Eat soft foods for one week
• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash two times a day for one week
• Take NSAIDs as needed for pain relief
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups

When should I see my dentist?

After tooth luxation treatment, tell your dentist if you develop any new or worsening symptoms like tooth discoloration or continued pain, bleeding or swelling.

What’s the difference between luxation and avulsion?

Tooth luxation and avulsion are different types of dental damage. Tooth luxation happens when the tissues and ligaments that hold your tooth in its socket become damaged. Avulsion refers to a completely knocked-out tooth. In other words, your tooth is no longer in its socket.