I've got a couple of teeth that have gotten pretty loose thanks to gum issues (ugh). Dentist said I could try splinting them to the stronger ones, or just go ahead and have them pulled and look at implants later. Has anyone done either? Is splinting even worth it, or does it just delay the inevitable? I’m torn, honestly. What did you pick, and why?
Is splinting even worth it, or does it just delay the inevitable? I’m torn, honestly.
Had the same dilemma last year—my front tooth was wobbly from gum loss. Dentist suggested splinting, which I tried first. For me, it bought some time (about 9 months), but didn’t fix the root problem. Eventually went with extraction and an implant. Honestly, splinting felt like a temporary band-aid, but I was glad to have that time to plan for the next step. If you’re nervous about losing the tooth right away, it’s not a bad option to try.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually went the other way. My dentist pushed for extraction and implant right off the bat, but the price tag made me pause. Splinting was way more affordable upfront, and insurance covered most of it for me. Sure, it’s not a forever fix, but not everyone has the cash for implants on short notice.
Did you look into whether the tooth could be saved with deep cleaning or gum treatments? Sometimes, if the bone loss isn’t too bad, splinting plus aggressive gum care can actually stabilize things for a while—maybe even a few years. I know someone who’s kept a splinted tooth for almost five years now. Not perfect, but it’s kept her out of the extraction chair (and saved a ton of money).
I guess it depends on your budget, pain level, and how much hassle you’re willing to put up with. Implants are great, but dang, they’re expensive and take months to finish. For some of us, splinting’s not just a delay—it’s the only realistic option for now.
“I know someone who’s kept a splinted tooth for almost five years now. Not perfect, but it’s kept her out of the extraction chair (and saved a ton of money).”
I went the splinting route too after my front tooth started doing a little shimmy every time I bit into an apple. My dentist was all about the implant, but my wallet was not on board. Splinting wasn’t glamorous, but it bought me time—plus, I weirdly got used to it. Did you notice any weird food getting stuck after splinting? That was my only real complaint... well, besides the existential dread of “will this thing last?”
Food getting stuck is a pretty common complaint with splinting, honestly. It’s not the most elegant solution, but for a lot of people it really does buy some breathing room, especially if you’re not ready (financially or emotionally) to jump into implants. I’ve seen folks keep splinted teeth for years, but yeah... you’ve gotta be a bit more diligent with flossing and those little brushes. The “will this last?” anxiety is real, but sometimes that extra time is all you need to figure out your next step without rushing.
