Most Common Root Fractures in Teeth
A fractured tooth root can be a painful experience but not all fractures present regular symptoms so it can be hard to know if you have a fracture that needs to be treated. Pain is our body letting us know that something is wrong so it is important to seek professional treatment whenever you notice any pain, including in your mouth.
There are a number of reasons that a root may fracture and identifying the cause is an important part of successful treatment. A root can fracture due to accident or injury, grinding the teeth, poor oral hygiene, old dental restorations, or even the patient’s age. A root fracture can occur and not display any symptoms or it may immediately cause pain and swelling. Identifying the cause is an important part of successful treatment.
Root Fracture: Causes
The most common cause of a root fracture is trauma such as experiencing a fall, physical activities, or in a car accident. Biting down on abnormally hard foods like a popcorn kernel or ice or using your teeth as tools to open a package or something else can also cause a root fracture.
Dental decay can weaken the tooth structures and leave it susceptible to fracture, which is why regular dental check ups are so important. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist to have a root canal or an extraction.
Types of Root Fracture
The specialist will perform some diagnostic tests to identify the type of root fracture as well as taking necessary x-rays. Types of root fractures include:
* Oblique supragingival fracture
* Oblique sub gingival fracture
* Vertical root fracture
* Vertical apical root fracture
* Vertical furcation fracture
Treating a Root Fracture
Our teeth are made up of different parts: the enamel, dentin, and pulp. The pulp is in the roots and contains the blood flow and nerves within each tooth and is the part of the tooth that causes pain. In the event that a tooth suffers a root fracture, the pulp becomes susceptible to bacteria and infection. Left untreated, a root fracture can quickly lead to a dental abscess.
The most common treatments for a fractured root are root canal therapy and extraction. For a root canal, an endodontist will drill a small access hole in the affected tooth and clean out the pulp from each canal of the root. This effectively removes the nerves and tissues from the tooth so that any pain and infection within the tooth is eradicated. After a root canal, most teeth need to be treated with a dental crown because without blood flow, the tooth will become brittle overtime but a crown will keep it from breaking in the future.
If a root canal is not appropriate, an oral surgeon will extract the tooth. If you want to have the tooth replaced, your dentist will help you determine if you should have a dental bridge or an implant. In some cases, the tooth does not need to be replaced, it really comes down to patient preference.