Tooth Resorption
-
- Tweet
Beverly Hills Innovative Endodontics
Endodontists located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tooth resorption occurs when your body starts to break down and absorb your tooth’s structure. This can be due to an injury or an untreated dental problem. If you’ve noticed spacing, discoloration, pain, or chipping, don’t resign yourself to tooth loss. Experienced endodontists Ahmad Fahid, DDS, MS, and F. Sean Fahid, DDS, MDSc, offer root canal therapy and other treatments at Beverly Hills Innovative Endodontics in Beverly Hills, California. Call the office in the Greater Los Angeles area or schedule a consultation online to learn more about the tooth-saving treatments today.
What is tooth resorption?
Dental resorption or tooth resorption is tooth loss as your body breaks down and absorbs parts of your teeth. This is perfectly normal in children, but the process is concerning in adults. Prompt care is vital if you are struggling with resorption and decay.
The two types of tooth resorption are internal and external.
Internal
As you might expect, internal resorption affects a tooth’s interior. It’s less common, but when it happens, it typically affects men or people who’ve undergone significant oral surgeries like tooth transplants.
Since it’s internal, you might not know it’s happening. Routine dental X-rays are crucial for detecting internal resorption.
External
This type can affect any part of your tooth and can look like chips or holes. On an X-ray, a tooth undergoing external resorption often looks like its roots are shortening or flattening.
What causes tooth resorption?
Tooth resorption can be due to:
- Mouth or tooth injury
- Tooth bleaching
- Untreated dental problems like cavities
- Tooth grinding
- Prolonged use of braces or other orthodontic appliances
These causes can trigger many complications, including infections, pain, crooked teeth, discoloration, and tooth loss. Wearing protective gear like mouthguards during high-impact sports is one way to avoid the trauma that can lead to tooth resorption.
What symptoms of tooth resorption should I watch for?
Tooth resorption often starts outside your teeth and moves inwards, so you can notice:
- Gum swelling
- Dark or pink spots on your teeth
- Pain in a tooth’s root, crown, or center
- Unusual tooth spacing
- Easily chipped or brittle teeth
- Holes and cavities in your teeth
The tell-tale symptom of tooth resorption is losing one or more parts of a tooth.
How is tooth resorption treated?
Your endodontist will personalize your treatment after a thorough exam. They need to determine where your teeth are affected and how severe the damage is to develop a plan to protect your healthy tissue and preserve as much of it as possible.
They might have to remove damaged parts of your teeth to minimize further resorption. Root canal therapy is often a good option.
Regular dental care with X-rays to reveal what’s happening beneath the surface can protect your teeth. Call the Beverly Hills Innovative Endodontics office to combat tooth resorption and maintain a healthy smile, or schedule your appointment online today.
