Root Resorption
New York, NY
 Root resorption can be a very damaging problem for your teeth. Root resorption is the process of the tooth root being destroyed by your own cells. This is a rare disorder that can be due to trauma that occurred; infection; or hyperplasia, which is an increase in the production of cells generally associated with cancer development.
If your dentist has noted signs of resorption, time is crucial to save the tooth. Saving your natural tooth structure is always our first priority. Dr. Del Valle or Dr. Shahgoli can evaluate the damage and perform treatment to reverse the process, or determine if extraction is needed and then restore the tooth with a dental implant. Following your evaluation, our team at Manhattan Maxillofacial Surgery Group, will work to create a treatment plan that is designed based on your needs.
Root resorption is generally classified in two categories, internal resorption and external resorption. Internal resorption can be more difficult to catch. The effects need to be caught through radiography, but is often missed because the patient generally does not feel discomfort until the problem becomes large. Most often, external resorption is caught through the appearance of a pink hue around the crown of the tooth that resembles a cavity. Your dentist may think they spot a cavity and then find that it does not have the same sticky feel that cavities often have. Once resorption is discovered, treatment needs to be quickly decided on because the destruction can progress rapidly.
Root Resorption Treatment
When your dentist has found indications of root resorption, they will often refer their patient to us. Once the patient has been referred to our Oral Surgery office, we will work to first save the tooth, and if that can not be achieved, then discuss other options such as the placement of a tooth implant.
If the area of resorption is small, we may be able to expose the affected area of the tooth’s root through minor periodontal surgery. We remove the damage causing tissue cells and repair the tooth with a composite filling material. For some patients, we may recommend a single-tooth orthodontic procedure before surgery. This is to move the tooth outward from the jawbone, pulling the gum tissue as well, allowing space for new bone to grow. Once the tooth is moved, we will still remove the damaged cells, and contour the gum tissue avoiding gum recession.
If the resorption process has reached the dental pulp, or inner portion of the tooth, it may also be necessary to perform a root canal treatment to remove any infected material.
If caught late in development, depending on the extent of the resorption, it may be necessary to extract the tooth. In some cases, we may begin the process of restoring the tooth and find that restoration is not possible and discuss extraction. Sometimes the extent of the damage is not seen until we go inside the tooth. If this ends up being the case, we can make other restoration recommendations for you.
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