What Is Root Resorption And How Can It Be Dealt With?
What exactly is root resorption? Although it may sound frightening and rare, it’s actually a fairly common affliction that occurs naturally due to an oral injury or irritation. The good news is that it can be treated effectively if handled in a prompt manner. If you or a family member is suffering from root resorption, you should have it checked immediately.
While it’s understandable to want to avoid a visit to the dentist whenever possible, problems such as root resorption need to be attended to, and a professional dentist will be able to not only properly cure problems once they occur, they also help patients avoid issues in the first place thanks to preventative care and the promotion of proper dental habits.
At Grand Lake Dental, our entire staff is dedicated to helping Oklahoma patients with root resorption and other maladies to maintain healthy smiles. Your family can rest assured that you’ll have access to the latest equipment and techniques during your visit.
What is root resorption?
Before explaining the specifics of root resorption, it’s important to point out the general term resorption refers to anytime that one part of the body starts to absorb another part. It can occur in many different places with various tissues and body parts. But in dental terms, resorption is the progressive loss of part or parts of the tooth due to odontoclasts.
Odontoclasts are a type of cell that occurs naturally and is responsible for breaking down the roots of baby teeth so they will eventually fall out. However, under certain circumstances that are not yet fully understood, something can go wrong, causing odontoclasts to attack permanent adult teeth.
The parts of the tooth that can be impacted by resorption include the interior pulp,
cementum (the root covering), dentin (the second hardest part of the tooth beneath the enamel, and the root itself.
There are two main types of resorption. The first is known as internal tooth resorption. This means that the actual inside of the tooth, either the dentin or cementum, is being absorbed into the tooth canal. It will result in the tissue becoming inflamed and then absorbed all together, leaving the inside of the tooth completely hollow. The tooth tissue changes from its normal consistency into giant, inflamed cells that are then absorbed into the tooth root.
The more common form of resorption is known as external tooth resorption, meaning that outside portions of the tooth will begin to deteriorate. External resorption can be further classified into several categories. Inflammatory resorption happens when there has been prolonged insult leading to continuing pathological resorption. Surface resorption is a form of inflammatory resorption that is transient and self-limiting. Cervical resorption is specific to the cemental-enamel junction, which is below the epithelial attachment. Finally, replacement resorption follows after the ankylosis of the root in the alveolar bone. It means that the tooth tissue is resorbed and replaced with bone.
What are the causes and symptoms of root resorption?
There are a number of possible causes for root resorption. In most cases it is due to a physical injury to the tooth, as from an impact, chemical, or burn. The trauma leads to inflammation that in turn results in resorption. Other causes include pulp necrosis, periodontal treatment, orthodontics, or poorly done, non-professional tooth whitening.
In the early stage of resorption, the primary symptom is a pinkish tint to the tooth. This is a signal that the internal tissue is being affected. As the condition progresses, there could be discomfort in the root, the crown, or even inside the tooth. There will be swelling of the gums and redness, and gaps between the teeth may start to show. X-rays will also indicate dental lesions in and around the impacted region.
Moreover, resorption can lead to other maladies, including infections, discoloration, a weakening of the tooth’s structural integrity, chipped teeth, misalignment, cavities and holes, and a recession of roots. In the worst cases, entire teeth will be lost.
How to treat root resorption
Once dental resorption has been diagnosed, the priorities will be on eliminating the resorption and preserving as much of the tooth (or teeth) as possible. It will likely be necessary to remove the damaged portions of the teeth to prevent further spread. This may involve root canals, crown removal and replacement, oral surgery, and in the worst cases, tooth extraction.
Another treatment that has proven successful involves calcium silicates. If it is possible to directly access the affected area, such as with external cervical resorption, a dentist can apply Biodentine along with an amalgam carrier. As the Biodentine sets, it should be carved around the resorption damage. This has been shown to have meaningful restorative properties in the long term.
How to prevent root resorption from happening in the first place?
Because many instances of resorption are the result of physical trauma it is difficult to use preventative measures. General recommendations for protecting your teeth should be followed at all times, such as wearing a mouth guard during high impact sporting and recreational activities. But most importantly, if you do suffer an injury to your mouth or teeth, make sure to have your teeth checked for resorption following the accident, and schedule a follow up session to make sure everything is healing properly.
The most important factor in treating resorption is to catch it as early as possible. That means you need to have regular check ups and cleanings. Make sure to only go to a credible dentist whom you trust, and most importantly of all, avoid gimmick teeth whitening procedures that often rely on dangerous chemicals that damage your teeth and gums when not administered properly.
Your Grove, Oklahoma Root Resorption Specialists
At Grand Lake Dental, Dr. Jobst and our entire staff take great pride in the professional care we provide each and every one of our patients. With decades of combined experience, we have direct knowledge of problems such as root resorption and we know exactly what signs of trouble to look for.
Dr. Karl Jobst is one of Oklahoma’s top dental professionals, and he has the awards and testimonials to prove it. Contact us today to learn more about root resorption or schedule an appointment.