Oral Surgery
WHAT IS TOOTH RESORPTION
Huntersville (Charlotte Metro), NC
Catching resorption early is the difference between saving a tooth and losing it
Catching resorption early is the difference between saving a tooth and losing it
Tooth resorption is a diagnosis that catches most patients off guard, since it often shows no symptoms until real damage has already occurred. If you've been told you have resorption, here's what it means, how it develops, and what your treatment options are. Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II, FACS and the team at Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery in Huntersville evaluate resorption cases throughout the Charlotte metro and coordinate care with your general dentist when extraction or surgical treatment becomes necessary.
Tooth resorption (also called tooth root resorption) is the progressive breakdown and dissolving of tooth structure from the inside out. It is most often triggered by physical trauma, orthodontic treatment, gum disease, a dental infection or abscess, or in some cases tooth whitening. Specialized cells called odontoclasts, which normally help the body break down baby teeth so permanent teeth can erupt, become activated in adult teeth and begin dissolving dentin that should otherwise last a lifetime.
Because early resorption is frequently symptom-free, it's often first spotted on a routine dental x-ray. As it progresses, patients may notice:
Because many cases show no early symptoms, keeping up with six-month dental checkups and x-rays is the most reliable way to catch resorption before it threatens the tooth.
Treatment depends heavily on how far the resorption has progressed and which type is involved. In many cases, a root canal is the first line of treatment: the infected or inflamed pulp is removed, the canal is cleaned and disinfected, and the root is sealed to stop the resorption process from continuing. If resorption has already compromised the structural integrity of the tooth, surgical intervention may be needed to access and repair the affected area.
When a tooth is too far gone to save, extraction becomes the recommended path, and you'll be presented with options to restore chewing function and appearance — most commonly a dental implant, though a dental bridge or partial denture are also alternatives depending on the surrounding teeth and bone.
Not every case of resorption is preventable, particularly when it stems from trauma or an underlying medical condition, but you can meaningfully reduce your risk:
Patients often assume resorption is just a severe cavity, but the two are distinct processes. Cavities are caused by bacteria producing acid that dissolves enamel from the outside in. Resorption is triggered by the body's own cells attacking dentin, often from the inside of the tooth outward, which is why it can progress significantly before it becomes visible on an exam or even shows up clearly on a standard x-ray. In some cases, a cone-beam CT scan is needed to fully map the extent of internal resorption before deciding on treatment.
The stage at which resorption is caught has a direct impact on whether a tooth can be saved. Early external cervical resorption, caught while it's still confined to a small area near the gumline, can often be repaired with a filling-like restoration after the affected area is cleaned out. Internal resorption caught before it perforates the tooth wall typically responds well to root canal treatment. Once resorption has spread extensively through the root or perforated into the surrounding bone, extraction becomes the more predictable option, which is why regular dental x-rays matter even for patients who feel no symptoms at all.
If you're experiencing symptoms of tooth resorption or your dentist has flagged a concern on a recent x-ray, don't wait to have it evaluated. Dr. Haigney and the Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery team will assess the tooth, determine how far the resorption has progressed, and build a treatment plan suited to your situation, whether that's a root canal, surgical repair, or extraction and replacement. Call (704) 987-3132 to schedule an evaluation at our Huntersville office.
Related Article: Can a Reabsorbed Tooth Be Saved?
Words cannot express enough, how wonderful, caring and professional Dr. Haigney and his staff are! After being rushed to the Huntersville hospital with an orbital fracture, broken nose and other facial damage, Dr. Haigney rushed me into surgery (on his day off I must add) and corrected all my problems. I only wish all doctors cared as much about their patients and their recovery as Dr. Haigney and his staff did. Thank you so much for everything! Your attention and compassion has helped me make my recovery as comfortable as possible. 5 star service!
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