How Long Can a Dead Tooth Stay in Your Mouth?

The Truth About Teeth Regrowing

The first thing to clarify is that teeth do not grow back once they are lost. Unlike other parts of our body, such as skin or bone, that can regenerate, your adult teeth don’t grow back if they fall out or are extracted. I remember being a little disappointed when my dentist explained this to me as a kid, but that’s the reality. So, if you’re asking, “How long until a tooth grows back?” the truth is, it doesn’t.

However, baby teeth do naturally fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. But once those adult teeth are in, they don’t regenerate if they’re lost. Fortunately, if you lose an adult tooth, there are options available to restore your smile, which I’ll get into later.

Why Don’t Adult Teeth Grow Back?

It may feel unfair, but we can’t grow back our adult teeth simply because adult teeth do not have the same regenerative properties that baby teeth do. When I visited my dentist, I learned that adult teeth do not have the regenerative cells needed to grow back once they are lost. This is different from how our body can heal a cut or even regrow bone tissue after an injury.

For example, baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, have a natural cycle: they grow, then fall out, and are replaced by adult teeth. This process continues several times during childhood. But once the permanent adult teeth are in, they’re here to stay. They won’t fall out and be replaced again, so we have to take extra care to preserve them.

So, What Happens If You Lose an Adult Tooth?

Now, you might be asking, “What happens if you lose an adult tooth?” I totally understand how you feel—I lost a molar once, and I wasn’t sure what to do next. Here’s what typically happens when you lose an adult tooth:

Dental Implants

One of the most commonly used solutions for missing adult teeth is dental implants. The process involves placing a titanium post into your jawbone, which acts as a replacement root. Over time, the bone actually fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration. From my personal experience, this process usually takes several months—typically 4 to 6 months—before the implant fully integrates into your bone. Once that’s done, a crown is placed on top of the implant, restoring both the appearance and function of your missing tooth.

Dental Bridges

Another popular option is a dental bridge. A bridge consists of a false tooth that is anchored to the surrounding teeth with crowns. While not as permanent as implants, bridges can be a quicker solution. Depending on your dentist’s schedule, the entire process may take just a few weeks to a couple of months.

Dentures

For multiple missing teeth, dentures may be recommended. Dentures are removable devices that act as substitutes for lost teeth. I’ve met several people who have gone this route, and while it requires some adjustment, they provide a good way to restore both appearance and function.

Can Teeth Grow Back After Extraction or Injury?

Now, let’s talk about whether a tooth can grow back after it’s been extracted or injured. Unfortunately, the answer is no—adult teeth will not grow back after they’re lost or removed. However, there are a few exceptions:

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that often come in during late adolescence or early adulthood. If these are extracted, they will not grow back. I know someone who had their wisdom teeth removed, and it took a few weeks to recover completely, but the teeth didn’t return.

What Happens to Your Tooth in Childhood?

If you’re still a child and your tooth falls out, it will be replaced with a new permanent adult tooth. I remember the excitement of losing my baby teeth as a child, knowing that in just a few weeks, a new adult tooth would begin to emerge in its place.

How Long Does It Take for Children’s New Teeth to Come In?

As mentioned earlier, baby teeth naturally fall out over the years to make way for adult teeth. This process can span several years, usually starting around age 6 and continuing until around age 12 or 13. I still remember losing my first tooth when I was six, and it took a couple of months for the new adult tooth to fully emerge.

Once the baby tooth falls out, the adult tooth typically begins to come in after 2 to 3 months. However, every child’s development is a bit different, and some children might experience this process more slowly than others. In some cases, especially with molars, the process can take a little longer.

What Should You Do If Your Tooth Doesn’t Grow Back?

If you’re an adult and have lost a tooth, I understand how frustrating it can be to think about the fact that adult teeth don’t regenerate. But don’t worry—there are plenty of options to restore your smile:

Immediate Steps

If your tooth was knocked out in an accident, it’s critical to see a dentist right away. When I lost a tooth in a freak accident, I was able to get to my dentist in time, and they managed to reattach it. If a tooth is knocked out, a dentist may be able to reattach it if it’s treated within an hour.

Dental Implants, Bridges, and Dentures

As mentioned earlier, implants, bridges, and dentures are the most effective solutions for replacing lost teeth. While implants take the longest to heal (around 4 to 6 months for full osseointegration), they are the most permanent solution. I personally chose implants, and the results were amazing.

Bone Grafting for Implants

If the bone has eroded due to a lost tooth, your dentist might recommend bone grafting before placing an implant. This process can take several months, but it’s necessary to create a solid foundation for the implant to be placed securely.

Can a Tooth Regrow if It’s Severely Damaged?

You might wonder if a severely damaged tooth can grow back. Unfortunately, even though a tooth is still in place, it won’t regenerate after it’s cracked or severely damaged. However, there are still ways to restore a damaged tooth.

The treatment for a fractured tooth depends on the extent of the damage. For minor cracks, a dental crown can be used to cover the tooth. For more severe damage, a root canal therapy may be necessary. In my case, I had a cracked tooth that was repaired with a crown. Although it didn’t grow back, it worked as well as a natural tooth afterward.

What Happens If I Lose a Tooth to an Infection?

Infection can sometimes cause the need for tooth extraction. I once had an infected tooth that had to be removed. While the tooth didn’t grow back, I opted for an implant to replace it. The healing process takes time, but it’s a reliable solution.

How Long Does It Take to Recover After Losing a Tooth?

The healing time after losing a tooth depends on the method used for replacement. If you’ve had a dental implant, it can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months for the implant to fully integrate into the bone. However, if you’ve had a tooth extraction due to injury or infection, the recovery might only take a few days

to weeks, depending on the procedure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adult teeth do not grow back, but there are multiple solutions available to restore your smile after losing a tooth. Whether through implants, bridges, or dentures, modern dentistry offers effective ways to replace missing teeth. The recovery time for each treatment option may vary, but don’t let a lost tooth keep you from smiling confidently. If you’re unsure about your best option, consult with your dentist to find the solution that’s right for you.