My Blog
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (58)
- orthodontic treatment (15)
- oral health (15)
- bonding (2)
- chipped teeth (2)
- cosmetic dentistry (8)
- dental crowns (1)
- braces (8)
- extractions (1)
- smile makeover (3)
- tooth grinding (1)
- orthodontics (7)
- headgear (1)
- oral hygiene (19)
- dental implants (12)
- crowns (2)
- oral surgery (2)
- root canal (3)
- pediatric care (1)
- partial dentures (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- gum disease (9)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- pediatric dentistry (11)
- bad breath (2)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- gummy smiles (1)
- tooth replacement (2)
- tooth decay (5)
- nutrition (3)
- mouthguard (1)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- gum recession (4)
- teeth grinding (3)
- laser dentistry (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- root canal treatment (5)
- blood pressure (1)
- retainers (2)
- veneers (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- teeth whitening (3)
- canker sore (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- oral cancer (3)
- dental injury (3)
- wedding day smile (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (2)
- topical fluoride (1)
- hiv (1)
- smoking (2)
- chipped tooth (3)
- bone loss (2)
- missing teeth (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- tads (1)
- teething (2)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- dentures (2)
- diabetes (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- fluoride (1)
- root resorption (1)
- gerd (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- retainer (1)
- dental implant (3)
- tmj disorders (2)
- jaw pain (2)
- removable partial denture (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- tooth extractions (1)
- vaping (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- mouth sore (1)
Categories:
As your dental provider, we're always alert for signs of tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease, the two leading causes of tooth loss. But we're also watching for less common conditions that could be just as devastating.
Root resorption falls into this latter category: it occurs when a tooth's root structure begins to break down and dissolve (or resorb). It's a normal process in primary ("baby") teeth to allow them to loosen and give way when permanent teeth are ready to erupt.
It's not normal, though, for permanent teeth. Something internally or—more commonly—externally causes the root structure to break down. External resorption usually occurs at the neck-like or cervical area of a tooth around the gum line. Known as external cervical resorption (ECR), it can first appear as small, pinkish spots on the enamel. These spots contain abnormal cells that cause the actual damage to the root.
We don't fully understand how root resorption occurs, but we have identified certain factors that favor its development. For example, it may develop if a person has experienced too much force against the teeth during orthodontic treatment. Injury to the periodontal ligaments, teeth-grinding habits or some dental procedures like internal bleaching may also contribute to later root resorption.
Early diagnosis is a major part of effective treatment for root resorption. Because it's usually painless and easily overlooked, resorption is often too difficult to detect in its early stages without x-rays—a good reason for regular dental exams. Beginning spots or lesions are usually small enough to surgically remove the tissue cells causing the damage and then filled with a tooth-colored filling material. If it has advanced further, we may also need to perform a root canal treatment.
At some point, the damage from root resorption can be too great, in which case it might be best to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant or similar restoration. That's why catching root resorption early through regular dental exams can give you the edge for saving your tooth.
If you would like more information on diagnosing and treating root resorption, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Root Resorption: An Unusual Phenomenon.”
.jpg)