Can you Fix Tooth Resorption
Tooth resorption is a common dental issue that many patients face at some point. Resorption often happens due to trauma or injury to the mouth but it can also occur when orthodontic treatment is too quickly progressed or prolonged. Your dentist can identify resorption using dental x-rays which is why regular check-ups are so important. If your dentist is able to identify areas of resorption early, treatment is much more effective.
What causes tooth resorption and what are the symptoms?
Tooth resorption is when the body begins to reject a tooth as a self defense against trauma or injury. The tooth literally begins to be absorbed by the body and can lead to very short roots or a hollow tooth. Resorption can be internal or external and can be detrimental to the health of the tooth.
External resorption is where the outside tissues of the tooth begin to deteriorate as the tooth is resorbed and replaced with bone. Internal resorption is not as common as external and means that the inside of the tooth is being absorbed into the canal. Tissues become inflamed and then absorbed all together, leaving the inside of the tooth hollow.
Resorption is most often caused by physical injury to the tooth from impact, chemicals, or burns. Symptoms of an early stage of resorption may include a pinkish tint to the tooth. As it progresses, you may experience pain in the tooth, swelling and redness of the gum tissue, and gaps between the teeth may start to show.
Can you fix tooth resorption?
If you experience any symptoms that might signify tooth resorption, it is important to see your dentist as quickly as possible for diagnosis and treatment. You may be referred to an endodontist for root canal therapy in case of minor resorption but if the affected area has progressed too far along, the tooth may need to be extracted. It is possible to effectively restore resorption using calcium silicate which is proved effective in treating minor resorption cases.
The sooner resorption is caught, the better the chances of saving the tooth. Even if you do not have symptoms, your dentist may identify areas of resorption during your regular visits which is why it is important to allow your dentist to perform check up x-rays once a year.
If you experience a hit to the mouth for whatever reason, a fall, playing sports, or car accident, it is important to see your dentist even if you do not have any pain or symptoms. There are a lot of structures below the surface that you cannot see and making sure they are still healthy after injury gives you the best chance of keeping all of your teeth as long as possible.