How Long Does It Take for a Tooth to Grow Back?
Curious how long does it take for a tooth to grow back? Whether it’s the result of an accident, decay, or even an extraction, losing a tooth can feel like the end of the world. But the big question on everybody’s mind is: can it grow in again? And if so, how long does that take?
I know that feeling — that panic after losing a tooth and wondering if I would have to have a gap for the rest of my life. Fortunately, answers exist to this question, and I’m here to share my journey and everything I’ve learned in the process.
Let’s delve into how teeth grow, heal and what you can do about a lost tooth.
The Process of Tooth Loss and Regeneration in Children
As for the regrowth of teeth, the answer is not as simple as one would like it to be. For adult humans, once a tooth falls out it does not typically grow back. But if you’re a kid, things run a little differently.
For kids, baby teeth come out naturally and adult teeth come as part of development. The timing for this can vary, but from about ages 6 to 12, this process takes place.
For adults: Adult teeth do not come back naturally; when adult teeth are lost or removed, they will not grow back. A tooth does not regrow after the age of adulthood, however. However, this doesn’t mean you’re left high and dry!
What Happens If an Adult Tooth Is Lost?
When children lose their baby teeth, it is a sign of healthy growth. It falls out to be replaced by a permanent adult tooth. This is a natural process that takes place slowly, generally commencing from the age of six.
Baby teeth typically become loose and fall out one by one, and the permanent teeth begin to erupt through the gums.
How long does it take for a new tooth to grow in? It usually takes months for a permanent tooth to completely come in after the baby tooth falls out.
So, if your child loses a tooth today, it could take 6 months to a year for the adult tooth to come in fully.
Can Science Help Regrow Adult Teeth?
This is where it gets a little tricky for us grown-ups. Unlike baby teeth, an adult tooth doesn’t grow back if it gets lost or extracted. But don’t fear, there are still ways to address missing teeth — dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
Question: Why Don’t Adult Teeth Grow Back?
The short answer is that adult teeth do not regrow. Once you lose or extract an adult tooth, your body won’t replace it on its own. However, this is not the case for animals such as sharks or reptiles which can regrow teeth multiple times in their life. We humans, alas, lack this superpower.
So if you want to get that tooth back, you have to think in terms of implants, or prosthetics.
How Long Does It Take for Dental Implants to Replace a Missing Tooth?
Although the body doesn’t have the ability to spontaneously grow back a lost adult tooth, researchers are studying creative approaches to stimulate the growth of teeth in the future. For example, breakthroughs in stem cell research and biotechnology may one day lead to regrown teeth.
It’s still in its early days, but scientists are exploring ways to induce teeth to grow by using either stem cells or gene-editing techniques. The hope is to regenerate lost teeth much like our bodies heal a fractured bone. But for now, that technology isn’t widely available yet.
Natural regrowth might not be an option, but dental implants offer a fantastic way to replace lost naturally made structures. But how long does it take to get an implant?
Step 1: Consultation and Planning. This step is carried out to ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate for an implant. This step typically takes several days.
Implant placement: The implant is inserted into your jawbone. The actual surgery is a couple of hours, but we’re looking at a healing time.” To accommodate the implant, the bone must grow into it, which usually takes 3-6 months.
Final restoration: After the implant has completely integrated with the bone, your dentist will attach a crown to it. Depending on the speed of your healing, this can take another couple of weeks to a month.
So as for time frame, with the whole process from if you’re getting an implant, is gonna be roughly 4 to 8 months.
What About Dental Bridges and Dentures?
And if you can’t have implants, there are other ways to fill the spot of a missing tooth.
Dental bridges: These artificial teeth that are held in place by the neighboring teeth surrounding the gap. Getting a bridge is definitely quicker than getting an implant—you can often complete treatment in 2–3 visits.
Dentures: For patients that have lost multiple teeth, these are a full or partial set of artificial teeth. They are individually made per patient and can be designed to look and feel just like natural teeth. Dentures usually require several weeks to complete the process.
My Personal Experience with Tooth Loss and Regrowth
I’ve personally lost some teeth of my own, so I can really understand what it feels like to let your gums wonder whether a tooth will come back in line. Allow me to share about my own path.
In childhood, I lost a tooth in an accident. At first, I assumed my tooth would grow back as soon as possible, like I was a kid. But when I was growing up I didn’t think it was true. Essentially I had to go through the steps of a dental implant which was a little scary at first. But once the process was finished, I was blown away by how natural my new tooth looked and felt.
I have also watched friends and family go through this. Some went with dental bridges, others dentures. Everyone’s experience is different, but I’ve learned, for me, that it’s worth considering all options and working with your dentist on what’s best for you.
Conclusion: Can a Tooth Grow Back?
In brief: no, your adult teeth will not grow back after they are lost. However, there are many ways to replace a missing tooth, and each option is effective. If you go for dental implants, bridges or dentures, there are solutions available which can restore function and appearance.
If the absence of a tooth has you concerned, I urge you to speak to your dentist. They will walk you through the process and get you the best solutions for your scenario. And remember, technology is always advancing — so who knows? Someday, perhaps we will regrow our teeth the way that nails grow back! But for now, dental is where it’s at.”
I hoped today’s article has helped you better understand how long does it take a tooth to grow back, and what to do when you lose a tooth. I’d love to hear about your experiences or questions in the comments!