Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi all.

I finished invisalign over a year ago and have been wearing my retainer at night ever since. Over the last few months I noticed my gums had receeded, but this was particularly bad for one tooth (my front lower). I went to my dentist, who literally shoved his hands in my mouth and really wobbled this tooth so hard I thought he was pulling it out. He told me (very unsympathetically!) it was very wobbly and may come out. I was in a total state of shock. I'd not noticed it being wobbly. The only pain was an occassional sharpness from the gum (I thought maybe I had an ulcer there which was why that gum reccession looked so much worse). I came out absolutely devastated. All my life Id hated my teeth and now they're finally nice they're going to come out?!?!

Hes made me an appointment with a periodontist which is Wednesday, but Im so upset and nervous I'm freaking out.

In the meantime I called my ortho up and explained the situation. He took an xray and said that I'd had a lot of bone loss but the wobbling wasn't that bad, and it was probably just something I'd need to keep my eye on; although the perio may be able to help.

So anyway, I'm waiting for Wednesday. From what I can see, I'm thinking a gum graft may be helpful - but my question is, will I be able to keep wearing my retainer if I have a gum graft? I don't want to lose all my hard work, but the thoguht of loosing my tooth is killing me. I know its so vain, but I've never even had a filling so this is a total shock!

Thanks for any words of comfort.

You should be able to wear your ret after the gum graft.
I would bring the ret with you at your visit to the periodontist and ask for sure but I dont see that as a problem.

Thanks for the reply. Well I went today and he said I do need a gum graft (but thinks my teeth are ok ). However, he sid I won't be able to wear my retainer for seven days. I'm scared they'll relapse. Will have to talk to my ortho.

Is the gum graft on the lower front? Maybe you can have your ortho give you a bonded retainer on the lower. I had a gum graft on one lower tooth after recession caused by a car accident. I don't think I had the surgery until after my braces were off, but I did have the bonded retainer and it didn't interfere with healing.

Thanks for your reply alimommy. Yes, its on the bottom front four so maybe a bonded retainer would work. Although I was under the impression I wouldn't be able to wear the top one because of the protection shield thing they stick on your roof to protect the wound from the cut-out (you can see I'm very good with the technical jargon! )
I get so confused! Will try and speak to my ortho later today.