How Serious is Tooth Reabsorption?
Tooth resorption is something very common today, perhaps you have heard somewhere or even been diagnosed in consultation with your dentist before and perhaps you have asked yourself “But what is tooth resorption and is it serious?”
Resorption occurs when your body, due to multiple factors (some type of trauma being the most common), begins to reject the tooth as a self-defense mechanism; In turn, this can cause inflammation and loss of tooth structure such as dentin (the layer under the enamel) or cementum (the tooth layer that covers the roots).
In primary dentition, or baby teeth, it is a completely normal physiological process, but when this happens in your permanent teeth it is no longer known as a physiological process but as a pathological process that can have repercussions such as premature loss of your tooth the worst scenario.
There are two types of resorption that can occur throughout your life, which are classified according to the place where they occur in relation to the root surface. These are known as external resorption and internal resorption, with external resorption being the most common.
External resorption
External resorption affects the surface of the root and is a frequent sequel to luxation injuries, dental avulsion and some kind of trauma, this being the most common cause.
The treatment will depend on the speed at which this pathology is identified. The sooner the tooth is treated, the better the prognosis for the affected tooth. Most of the time, the treatment will always include the elimination of the etiological agent.
This type of resorption usually progresses quickly, which is why prevention and prompt diagnosis play a crucial role in preserving the greatest amount of healthy tissue in your tooth and thus avoiding premature tooth loss.
Regarding the symptoms and clinical characteristics, the tooth may have a normal appearance, it may present inflammation of the gum surrounding the tooth, sensitivity to palpation, and even to changes in temperature, whether cold or hot, for example. For this reason, radiology plays an important role since these types of lesions can be detected through a periapical x-ray, a technology we have at Esthetic Dental Center.
Internal Resorption
Internal resorption turns out to be similar to external resorption, however its difference is that this absorption begins from the dentin or cementum, and advances towards the canal of the tooth, causing the tooth to weaken and become more susceptible to carious lesions or fractures. The main factors that can cause internal resorption are trauma, exposure to heat or chemicals, or bacterial invasion of the pulp. On several occasions, a reddish color may appear on the tooth, and this will be the first sign of internal resorption.
As in external resorption, radiology will be our main tool to reach the correct diagnosis. At the same time, we remind you to go to your dentist for a check-up at least once every six months as a method of prevention since the sooner tooth absorption are diagnosed, the better prognosis your tooth will have, and you can avoid any serious complications that may arise (as well as the need for extraction).