Treating Fractured Root
A fractured tooth root can occur to anyone at any time, which can be a little scary but if you know what you should look out for, there are treatment options available to help treat the fracture in an effort to save the tooth. A root fracture occurs when the root is compromised due to large dental fillings, biting down on something very hard like a popcorn kernel, or even age. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible when you suspect a root fracture to prevent further damage to the tooth.
Identifying a Fractured Tooth Root
Not every fractured root will be accompanied by immediately identifiable symptoms and can go undetected for quite some time before you see your dentist. Some symptoms that you may experience in the event of a root fracture include:
* Hot and cold sensitivity
* Pain upon biting or chewing
* Swollen gum tissue
* Intermittent pain (pain that comes and goes)
Treating a Fractured Tooth Root
The treatment advised for a fractured root will largely depend on the severity of the fracture. A root can fracture vertically, horizontally or even, split in two. A fractured root can be difficult to diagnose even with x-rays, but your dentist will have some diagnostic tests that they can perform to help with identification. In the event of a fractured root, your dentist may advise root canal therapy or extraction.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal could be a great treatment option that could save your tooth! The root houses the pulp, the nerves and blood flow, which can become infected and lead to a dental abscess. For a root canal, an endodontist will drill a small hole in the tooth in order to access the canals of the root. Next, they will clean out the nerves and tissue within the canals. With the nerves removed, the patient will no longer feel any pain associated with that tooth! A crown is typically required to restore a root canal treated tooth in order to ensure the integrity of the tooth and keep it strong.
Extraction
If a root fracture is severe and the tooth is deemed hopeless, you may need to have the tooth extracted. In the event of extraction, your dentist will discuss replacement options if you so choose, which include a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a dental implant.
It is important to address a possible root fracture as soon as possible. Pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong so even if your dental pain is minor and intermittent, it will only get worse over time. And you leave your tooth susceptible to infection and abscess! An abscess is a pus-filled sac that can form adjacent to the roots and is very painful and can lead to more problems. The infection resulting from a fractured root and abscess can spread into the jaw and even into the bloodstream.