What is Root Resorption?

Have you ever heard of the word “resorption?” In the medical field, this term is often used to describe a natural process that happens to bones, tissues and teeth. But what is it really about? Should you be concerned? Read to find out exactly what you need to know about resorption and dental health. rnDefinition of Root Resorption Resorption, also called reabsorption, is the process where a biochemical mass is absorbed by the body, resulting in degradation and dissolution. When talking about teeth, root resorption refers to the natural loss of the tooth root, the part of the tooth that is deeply embedded into the gums and directly connects with the jaw bone. In root resorption, the tooth root gradually loses mass and disintegrates until the jaw bone can no longer hold it in place. It comes in two types: internal and external resorption. Internal resorption starts from the very inside of the tooth root, right from the root canal. External resorption starts from the gums or alveolar bone and attacks the end of the tooth root. Sometimes, external resorption can start midway, somewhere near the gum line, which can ultimately cut the tooth in half if not treated immediately. Root Resorption in Primary Teeth Resorption in deciduous (primary) teeth is normal. It allows permanent teeth to erupt and generally, the roots of primary teeth reabsorb naturally around six to 12 years of age. Through resorption the baby teeth easily come loose and fall out, making room for the adult teeth growing in. In some cases, the roots from baby teeth do not fully reabsorb, which causes trouble when secondary teeth try to move in place. In these cases, the child may end up with hyperdontia or excessive teeth in the dental arch. Parents may choose to have their children’s unresorbed primary tooth extracted once the permanent counterpart has broken through the gum line.. Internal Tooth Root Resorption For adults who have a complete set of secondary teeth, resorption is no longer normal. It can lead to tooth loss if not detected and treated early. Internal tooth root resorption in adults also is known as the “pink tooth of Mummery,” named after the anatomist James Howard Mummery. This is a rare dental disorder that has no definite cause, although some dentists and patients may attribute it to trauma. If the problem is detected early, usually through radiography and regular dental check-ups, root canal therapy or endodontic treatment can save the tooth. The dentist will clean the root canal and remove the pulp. If part of the tooth has degraded, the dentist can use dental restorations. If the condition continues to worsen, the tooth will discolor and eventually fall out due to the loss of tooth root mass. External Tooth Root Resorption External root resorption is more common and usually seen in patients who:rnSuffered trauma and injury to the jaw bone;rnHave undergone orthodontic treatment;rnGrew tumors or cysts in the jaw and;rnHave ectopic teeth growing in the location of the tooth. Surprisingly, orthodontic treatment is the most prominent cause of root resorption in Western countries. Odd as it may be that what is supposed to be considered a dental treatment can cause another dental problem, this happens because of the force applied by orthodontic appliances on the teeth. When the teeth are subjected to too much pressure and movement, the immune system reacts negatively to the process and attacks the tooth root, thinking it is a pathogen that needs to be eliminated. The body’s natural response is to resorb the tooth root and put an end to the macrophage rampage. Since this condition has no preliminary symptoms, the patient only notices a resorption problem when the tooth is loose and cannot be saved. This is why in most cases the dentist will need to perform an extraction. Prevention of Root Resorption Dentists are aware of the risks of resorption when giving orthodontic treatment to patients. That is why instead of increasing pressure in the dental braces, dentists opt to remove teeth that can crowd the dental arch. Removing one tooth to allow space for movement of the other teeth is a better option than having several teeth suffer from resorption. For internal resorption, prevention is impossible because the problem can happen without cause or warning. If you have problems with loose teeth and are worried that you may be suffering from root resorption, consult general dentist in Anthem. for proper diagnosis and treatment. Don’t ignore the symptoms of root resorption and seek medical assistance right away. You may still be able to salvage your tooth if you detect the problem early.