My upper left second premolar has become a bit loose due to a few years of recurring infections. i've been told it needs a root canal. if the root canal is done and the infection is gone, will it tighten back up? can bone loss around the root of the tooth

It might not: be salvageable. Seek a second opinion

Dental implant: With the advent of the implant dentistry a root canal re-treatments are a thing of the past. If the situation with the tooth is compromised, the dental implant becomes more predictable option. See your dentist for evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis and dental implant placement if needed.

You have a problem: if the tooth is loose hopefully it is because of the infection at the tip of the tooth inside your jaw If the infection is draining into your mouth it is doing so by destroying the supporting bone which then weakens your tooth since the supporting bone is gone If the problem was caused only by the part that caused the need for a root canal then the tooth should tighten up but u may need bonegraft

More info needed...: A loose tooth is usually indicative of periodontal bone loss. If the tooth is loose due to long term periapical infections, the prognosis is poor... the tooth has been neglected for too long. Discuss you options with your dentist, including extraction and placement of an implant.

That's the ticket!: Correct! A successful root canal should reduce the tooth mobility when the infection is gone, and over an extended period of time we should see on X-rays that the bone destroyed by the infection has regenerated.

Don't wait: It sounds like the tooth is abcessed, and there is what we call a periapical abcess at the apex of the tooth root. If a root canal is done soon enough, the bone can usually fill in. If you wait to long, you could lose enough bone that the tooth will have to be removed. Try to get in soon.

Possibly: Many times the looseness is from the infection. If this the case it may firm up after the treatment. Have the tooth evaluated by an endodontist prior to treatment to get the best opinion.

Loose teeth: can occur due to periodontal disease and malocclusion. These condition is aggravated by parafunctional habits. If infection and traumatic relationship of the tooth involved is identified and resolved, the tooth can "tighten" back.

Hopefully: The "years of recurring infections" is a bit worrisome. The longer a tooth goes untreated for endodontic (root canal ) problems the worse the prognosis becomes. The odds are still good but the longer you wait the poorer the chance of success becomes. Also the tooth may be getting weaker structurally as well.

Needs an evaluation: If it is a long standing periapical abcess, it can cause periodontal problems, an endo-perio abcess. If this is the case, the bone filling in is a lot less likely. See your dentist immediately!

Clinical evaluation: There are many variables. When was the last time the dentist re-evaluated the tooth? At age 30, I would hate for you to lose the tooth. The dentist will suggest a treatment plan with various options depending on the prognosis of the tooth.

It depends: on exactly why the tooth is loose. Your first step should be to get a diagnosis from a general dentist who can then either treat or refer based on their findings. Whether you need an endodontist, periodontist, or oral surgeon pre-supposes a diagnosis. Focus on getting that diagnosis then the various treatment options will be much more clear and meaningful.

Get it looked at.: Since the problem is a few years old now, there is probably more going on than was happening when first diagnosed. Either way, something (root canal treatment or extraction) has to be accomplished. You have some sort of bacterial infection attacking your body in that area. Do something!

Possibly: If you haven't left it too long, a root canal can create an environment for bone to grow back and tighten the tooth. Best thing would be to have it evaluated by an endodontist (root canal specialist) and see what he/she thinks. I've seen many of these tighten and last for years.

Its possible: Hi Jerry its feasible as the root canal will reduce the ability of bacteria to seep into certain areas to cause further infections and thus further bone loss. However if the tooth is loose enough, then the mobility will mean saliva (which contains bacteria) has the chance to slip down the sides of the tooth limiting chances of bone/gum recovery. Have the root canal & then see a gum specialist.

Yes: if all your symptoms are a result of the need for root canal treatment & the infection clears after treatment, the tooth may tighten & the bone should fill in at the (periapical) root end. You will have saved the tooth & should get it restored to full function. Have the root canal treatment . This will be a very good start. Reevaluate after the root canal is done.

Yes it will tighten: once the infection is treated the tooth will no longer be extruded out of the socket and usually will tighten back up. If the tooth has a periodontal (gum and bone) issue then it may not go back completely to normal as the supporting structures are compromised. bone loss at the tip of the root will often heal completely.

Post Root Canal: Good day; Unless your dentist feels there is insufficient bone supporting tooth: an attempt at root canal therapy is suggested. After the treatment permit the tooth to heal and the mobility may lessen. The alternative is to have the tooth extracted an implant placed and an eventual crown. Recommending endodontic therapy immediately.

Bone support: Supporting bone loss with resultant mobility may be due to gum disease, malocclusion, parafunctional habits, in addition to uncontrolled infection. As infection has been recurrent, recommend you see a root canal specialist, an Endodontist, for diagnosis, prognosis, and root canal treatment or referral for extraction. Please do not put this off. Procrastination is not your friend.

You are right...: You are right to be concerned about loose teeth, and getting a root canal to treat infection could be a solution. In order to solve you problem, you need to DO 2 THINGS: 1. Be seen ASAP. Your provider can evaluate all the factors involved and help you make the best plan to treat them. AND 2. Get the work done promptly. Postponing treatment limits options & leads to additional problems.

Possibly: depending on how much bone damage has occurred.