Treating Fractured Root
Any sort of dental trauma can have a traumatic impact on your overall oral health. If you have experienced a cracked tooth or root fracture, immediate treatment is advised to correct the issue before it worsens.
Root fractures can happen for several reasons. For example, excessive pressure from either biting or chewing can lead to a crack. Fractures can also be the result of large fillings or chewing on pencils, ice, or other hard objects.
Common Causes of Root Fractures
Cracks and fractures in your teeth can develop for several reasons. For example, root fractures can happen when:
- Using your teeth as a tool, such as opening a package.
- Sudden blunt force trauma, like a car accident or sports-related injury.
- Large dental fillings that weaken the integrity of the tooth structure.
- Abrupt temperature changes in your mouth.
Different Types of Root Fractures
Teeth can also fracture in unusual ways. Some cracks are vertical, while others are horizontal. Some are mild, and others are more severe. Your specific treatment will depend on the complexity of your situation as well as the long-term projections of the tooth.
Some of the most common types of root fractures include:
- Teeth that are fractured just below the gums- This is where a fracture begins near the crown of the tooth and extends downward into the root.
- Split tooth- This type of fracture is characterized by two distinct portions that can be physically separated.
- Vertical root fracture- Sometimes a crack will begin in the root and then extend upward towards the crown. This type of fracture is usually not painful and is detected when the surrounding gum tissue or jawbone becomes infected.
Common Symptoms of a Root Fracture
Not every cracked tooth cause discomfort. Unfortunately, this also means it can go undetected for any given period. Which is another reason routine dental checkups are so beneficial.
There are situations when a fractured root might show some symptoms. These could include:
- Discomfort or pain when biting or chewing.
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets.
- Occasional pain that is not constant in nature.
- Swelling or inflammation of your gums.
The Treatment for a Root Fracture
When a fracture is detected, the recommended treatment will be completely contingent on the severity of the fracture. Sometimes the tooth might be repositioned and stabilized with a simple splint. This is beneficial for mild fractures occurring just below the gum line.
If the fracture travels into the pulp of the tooth, a root canal will be necessary to save the tooth. During this treatment, the living tissues inside the tooth pulp chamber are removed and the chamber is disinfected. The roots and pulp chamber are filled with a substance, and a restorative crown is added to protect the natural tooth.
In some situations, a root fracture can be so severe that the tooth cannot be saved. Now an extraction must be performed. The entire dental industry has been taught to save natural teeth when at all possible. If the tooth has a poor long-term prognosis, an extraction to preserve the remainder of your healthy teeth in the arch will be strongly recommended. If you must have a tooth extracted, your dentist will suggest a variety of restoration options with you.