Can you Fix Tooth Resorption?
Although it sounds concerning, it is actually a common affliction that happens naturally from an oral injury or irritation. It can be treated successfully if managed promptly. If you believe you have any root resorption, you should have it examined immediately. Your dentist will be able to treat the tooth resorption once it occurs, and they can help you avoid issues with preventative care and proper dental habits.
What is Tooth Root Resorption?
Resorption is when one part of your body starts to absorb another part. It can happen in various places with various tissues and different body parts. In dentistry, tooth resorption is the progressive loss of parts of the tooth from odontoclasts. Odontoclasts are a cell that is completely natural and is responsible for the breaking down the roots of baby teeth so they will fall out. Under certain circumstances odontoclasts will also attack permanent adult teeth.
The parts of the tooth that can be affected by tooth resorption include the interior pulp, cementum, which is the root covering, dentin, which is the part of the tooth beneath the enamel, and the root itself.
There are two main types of resorption. The first is internal tooth resorption. This is when the inside of the tooth, either the dentin or cementum, is being absorbed. The tissue first becomes inflamed and then absorbed completely, leaving the inside of the tooth hollow. The tooth tissue becomes inflamed cells that are absorbed into the tooth root.
The more common kind of resorption is external tooth resorption, which is when the outside of the tooth begins to deteriorate. External resorption is classified into several categories. Inflammatory resorption will lead to continuing pathological resorption. Surface resorption is an inflammatory resorption that is both transient and self-limiting. Cervical resorption is specific to the cemental-enamel junction. Finally, replacement resorption is when the tooth tissue is resorbed and replaced with bone.
What are the Causes and Symptoms of Tooth Root Resorption?
There are a number of causes for tooth resorption. Usually, it is from a physical injury to the tooth, like an impact, chemical, or burn. This trauma will lead to inflammation that turns into resorption. Other causes can be periodontal treatment, pulp necrosis, orthodontics, or poor tooth whitening.
In the early stage of tooth resorption, the primary symptom is a pink color on the tooth. This is an initial sign that the internal tissue is now being affected. As the resorption then progresses, there might be discomfort in the root, the crown, or inside the tooth. There may be swelling of the gums and some redness, and gaps between the teeth can develop. X-rays will identify dental lesions around the impacted region.
Tooth resorption can lead to infections, discoloration, a weakening of the structural integrity of a tooth, chipped teeth, cavities and holes, misalignment, and a recession of roots. The entire tooth can be lost.
How to Treat Tooth Root Resorption
Once tooth resorption has been identified, the focus is on stopping the resorption and preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. It could be necessary to remove the damaged portions of the tooth to stop progression. This can include a root canal, crown replacement, oral surgery, or even tooth extraction.