What Is Tooth Resorption?
Tooth resorption isn’t extremely common, but when it does occur it can be quite serious and needs to be addressed before it gets worse. With that said, you may be wondering what tooth resorption is, and what signs to look for to see if it is affecting your teeth.
Below is information about resorption, including what it is, what signs to look for, and potential treatment options.
What Is Tooth Resorption?
Tooth resorption is a condition in which the cells of a patient begin to damage a tooth. This can happen as a result of previous dental work, physical trauma, orthodontic treatment, tooth whitening, dental infection, or an abscess.
The types of resorption include:
- External Cervical Resorption: External cervical resorption can occur due to orthodontic treatment, dental trauma, whitening, and more. With this condition, the resorption affects where a tooth and gum meet.
- Internal Resorption: Internal resorption refers to the condition in which the interior of the pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed—leading to cells called odontoclasts breaking down the dentin. Essentially, your tooth begins to hollow from the inside out. This can be caused by an infection or trauma.
- External Apical Resorption: With external apical resorption, the roots of the tooth start to dissolve. While this is natural for baby teeth, it should not occur in adult teeth. This is generally caused by an abscess.
Signs to Look For
There are a few signs to look for when it comes to resorption. These include:
- Gum issues
- Tooth discoloration
- Tooth fragility
- Pain
- Changes in a tooth’s shape
If you notice any of these signs, make sure you schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible for an examination. Even if resorption isn’t the culprit, these signs can still be indicative of a whole host of other dental concerns.
Treatment
A common treatment option for both internal and external resorption is root canal therapy. During this procedure, a dentist removes infected pulp from the tooth, then cleans and disinfects the root of the tooth. The tooth is then sealed. While root canal therapy is the most common treatment method, surgery (or even extraction) may be required in some circumstances.
While resorption can’t always be prevented by a patient, there are some preventative measures that should be taken—namely practicing proper oral healthcare. This means brushing twice a day, flossing, and rinsing. Regular trips to the dentist for checkups and cleanings will also help with the prevention of resorption, along with early detection should the condition occur. The earlier your dentist can diagnose and treat resorption, the better.
Contact Us
If you start to notice the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important to visit your dentist for an examination. From there, they can determine what is causing the symptoms. If it turns out you are suffering from resorption, your dentist can put a plan in place to address the issue.
Contact us today to set an appointment for an examination.