Have you recently been diagnosed with tooth resorption, or do you believe you may be suffering from the condition? If so, you are probably wondering if the condition can be fixed and what that process may look like.
Here’s what you need to know about tooth resorption including what it is, whether it can be fixed, prevention, and more.
What Is Tooth Root Resorption?
Tooth root resorption (also referred to as “tooth resorption”) is a condition in which the cells of a person’s tooth begin damaging it. This causes the tooth to erode and dissolve over time.
The types of tooth resorption and their potential causes include:
- Internal Resorption: This condition involves cells (called odontoclasts) breaking down the dentin of a tooth over time. This is often caused by dental trauma or infection.
- External Apical Resorption: With external apical resorption, the roots of a tooth dissolve over time. This is expected with baby teeth, but it’s a problem when it happens to adult teeth. For adults, this condition is often caused by a tooth abscess.
- External Cervical Resorption: This form of resorption involves the eroding of a tooth where the gums and tooth meet. It can be caused by teeth whitening, dental trauma, and orthodontic treatment.
Do I Have Tooth Resorption?
To determine whether or not you have tooth resorption, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination. With that said, there are some symptoms of tooth resorption that you can look out for, including:
- Changes in a tooth’s shape
- Gum recession
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain
- Tooth fragility
Can You Fix Tooth Resorption?
You can often fix a tooth that has suffered resorption.
Often, treatment involves root canal therapy. During this procedure, your dentist removes the infected pulp from a tooth, then disinfects and seals the tooth to prevent further damage. If root canal therapy isn’t enough, your dentist may consider surgery or even extraction.
Preventing Tooth Resorption
To minimize your risk of tooth resorption, make sure you take proper care of your oral health. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash. You’ll also want to schedule an appointment with your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. Checkups allow your dentist to detect oral health issues early on, which can allow your dentist to stop the progression of the problem you are experiencing and treat it.
If you play any contact sports, make sure you purchase a mouth guard to keep your teeth safe.
Keep in mind that, while these tips can help, you still may experience resorption. If you do, contact your dentist.
Reach Out Today
If you are suffering from tooth resorption (or you suspect you are) reach out today. We’ll have your dentist take a look at your tooth and determine the root cause of the issue. From there, a treatment plan can be put in place to fix your tooth resorption.