Treating Fractured Root
Any kind of dental trauma can have a dramatic impact on your overall oral health. If you experience a cracked tooth or root fracture happens, immediate treatment is advised to address the issue before it worsens.
Root fractures can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, excessive pressure from biting or chewing forces can lead to cracks. Fractures can be the result of large fillings or chewing on ice, pencils, and other hard objects.
Common Causes of Root Fractures
Cracks within your teeth can develop for varied reasons. For example, root fractures can happen when:
- Using your teeth as tools, such as opening packages.
- Large fillings that weaken the integrity of the tooth structure.
- Sudden blunt force trauma, such as a car accident or sports-related injury.
- 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 reasonably mild, and others are severe. Your treatment will depend on both the complexity of your situation as well as the long-term prognosis of the tooth.
Some of the most common types of root fractures include:
- Teeth that are fractured just below the gums- This is when a fracture begins near the crown of the tooth and reaches downward into the root.
- Split tooth- This kind of fracture is characterized by two distinct segments that can be physically separated.
- Vertical root fracture- Sometimes a crack will begin in the root and then extend upward towards the crown of the tooth. This kind of fracture is usually not painful and is only detected when the surrounding gum tissue or jawbone becomes infected.
Common Symptoms of a Root Fracture
Not every cracked tooth will cause you discomfort. Unfortunately, this can also mean it goes undetected for any given period of time. That is yet another reason why routine dental checkups are so beneficial.
There are times when a fractured root will show some symptoms. These may include:
- Pain or discomfort when biting or chewing.
- Increased tooth sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweets.
- Occasional pain that is not constant in nature.
- Swelling and inflammation of your gums.
The Treatment for a Root Fracture
When a root fracture is detected, the recommended treatment will be totally contingent on the severity of the crack. Sometimes the tooth can be repositioned and stabilized with a splint. This is helpful for mild fractures occurring just below your gum line.
If the fracture extends into the pulp of the tooth, a root canal will be necessary to save it. During this procedure, the living tissues inside the tooth are removed and the chamber disinfected. The roots and pulp chamber are filled, and a restorative crown is added to protect the natural tooth.
In some cases, a root fracture can be so severe that the tooth cannot be saved. Now an extraction will be necessary. The entire dental industry prefers to save natural teeth when at all possible. However, if the tooth has a poor long-term prognosis, an extraction to preserve the balance of your healthy teeth in the arch will be recommended. If you must have a tooth removed, your dentist will discuss a variety of replacement options with you.