Most Common Root Fractures in Teeth
A dental root fracture refers to a break or crack in a tooth that reaches down toward the root of the tooth. There are a variety of different potential causes of a dental root fracture. Identifying both the cause and the type of dental root fracture is important to identify the best treatment available is chosen.
What are The Causes of Dental Root Fractures
The causes of a dental root fracture include damage as the result of a nasty fall, an accidental blow to the mouth during a sporting activity, teeth grinding, poor oral hygiene, and more. The cause will determine the treatment.
Identifying the Different Layers of a Tooth
There are several different layers of a tooth. Understanding the layers will help recognize dental root fractures. Simply put, the three primary layers of a tooth are:
- Enamel-The tough protective outer shell of the crown.
- Dentin- The second layer.
- Dental pulp- The living tissue center.
Enamel is the visible part of the tooth, just covering the crown. Enamel is strong, but it is still vulnerable to damage from either poor oral hygiene or severe dental trauma. Dentin is the second underlying layer beneath the visible enamel. Finally, dental pulp is at the center of the tooth and is full of nerves and blood vessels.
What are Some Causes of Dental Root Fractures
The most common and frequent cause of a root fracture is sudden trauma. This can occur from an unfortunate fall, during a physical sporting event or untimely car accident, and in various other ways. Take precautions when available to reduce the risk of a dental root fracture. For example, wearing a mouth guard for sports, or teeth grinding.
The Different Types of Root Fractures
One of the first things your dentist will want to know is what type of dental root fracture you have, because each is treated in a unique way. Some of the more common types of root fractures are:
- Oblique supragingival fracture
- Oblique subgingival fracture
- Vertical furcation fracture
- Vertical root fracture
- Vertical apical root fracture
To determine the type and severity of the fracture, your dentist will take x-rays and conduct an oral examination to identify the type of fracture.
How does Your Dentist Treat a Root Fracture
The treatment options for a root fracture depend on the severity of the fracture. For more severe fractures that have damaged the pulp, they will recommend root canal therapy. This common procedure involves removing all the living pulp of the tooth and filling the chamber with a rubbery substance. A crown is then placed to restore the strength and appearance of the natural tooth.
In a more extreme case, your dentist may opt for extraction.
The Long-Term Outlook for a Root Fracture
The industry goal is to always save a natural tooth from being lost, and your dentist can very often do just that. The results of a root canal and other similar procedures used to treat root fractures can last for years.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Dentist Today
If you believe you might have a tooth root fracture, call, and schedule your appointment today. Your dental team will help you restore the health and appearance of any damaged teeth and monitor the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Treating Fractured Root