How Serious Is Tooth Resorption?
Tooth resorption is an oral health condition where a patient’s cells start to damage a tooth. This may be the result of physical trauma, an abscess, dental infection, orthodontic treatment, teeth whitening, or other forms of dental work.
But how serious is it? What are the types? And is treatment available?
Below is more information about tooth resorption.
How Serious Is Tooth Resorption?
Tooth resorption should be taken very seriously. This condition can worsen over time and lead to major consequences, such as:
- Discoloration
- Chipping
- Pain
- Infection
- Tooth loss
Tooth resorption needs to be treated professionally; the sooner the better. If you believe you are suffering from tooth resorption, contact your dentist.
What are the Types of Resorption?
The types of resorption are:
- External Cervical Resorption: This form of resorption is often due to dental trauma, orthodontic treatment, whitening, or other causes. With external cervical resorption, the area where the gum and tooth meet is affected.
- Internal Resorption: When the tooth begins to hollow from the inside out, it is suffering from a condition called “internal resorption.” With this condition, the interior of the tooth becomes inflamed and cells (called odontoclasts) start wearing down the dentin of the tooth. This is often caused by trauma or infection.
- External Apical Resorption: Another form of external resorption, external apical resorption is when the roots of a tooth begin dissolving. This is a normal part of the loss of baby teeth, but it is a serious condition when it occurs in adult teeth. Often, this is caused by a tooth abscess.
What Should I Look Out For?
Some of the main signs you should look for include:
- Pain
- Tooth discoloration
- Gum issues
- Tooth fragility
- Changes in a tooth’s shape
It’s extremely important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice any of these signs.
Is Treatment Available?
Treatment is generally available for tooth resorption, but it needs to be administered as soon as possible to prevent further complications. Usually, root canal therapy is recommended for the treatment of both internal and external cases of tooth resorption, but sometimes surgery (or even extraction) is required.
There are some ways to avoid tooth resorption, which include taking proper care of your oral health at home and visiting the dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. With that said, there are circumstances in which tooth resorption may occur that are outside of the control of the patient.
Visiting your dentist every six months for your checkup will allow your dentist to diagnose a case of tooth resorption and set up a plan of treatment before it gets any worse.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing the symptoms of tooth resorption, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will perform a thorough examination and, if it is determined that you are suffering from tooth resorption, your dentist will put together a treatment plan to properly address the issue.
Reach out today to book your appointment.