110 – Fractured Root Symptoms and Treatments

Fractured Root; Symptoms and Treatments
What is the tooth root?
It is the part of the tooth that cannot be seen, the one contained in the bone that has the function of supporting the tooth, just as the roots of the tree support the tree itself. The various teeth have a different number of roots: the canines and the incisors have only one. The lower premolars also have only one, while the upper premolars may have one or two. The lower molars have two tooth roots, unlike the upper molars which have three. It is also possible to find roots fused together.
Anatomy of the tooth root
Each tooth is made up of the root (the part that is not seen), crown (the visible part) and collar (connection area between root and crown). The tooth root is longer than the crown. The root culminates in the root apex in the direction opposite to the crown. The internal part of the root is composed of dentin; the external one which covers the dentin itself and is in contact with the bone.
The inside of the root is crossed by root canals containing the pulp which, reaching the root apex, connects with nerves and blood vessels. This connection ensures nutrition to the tooth. The alveolar bone is the part of the bone to which the root is anchored.
Fractures
If traumatic events in general are excluded, it is very difficult for a dental root fracture to occur in a living tooth; it usually occurs in devitalized or otherwise weak teeth and the cause is always the same: the tooth cannot withstand the stresses caused by chewing. When the tooth root fractures, in most cases there is nothing that can be done: the tooth must be extracted. If the fracture occurs in the most superficial part of the tooth root it is possible to save it through the reconstruction of the tooth and its encapsulation. In case of a deeper fractured tooth root, it is necessary to intervene immediately with the extraction of the tooth because, otherwise, it can cause a painful infection of the bone.
What are the symptoms of a root fracture?
The symptoms that make you understand that you have a root fracture of the tooth can vary, but the most obvious and annoying one concerns the pain which usually becomes almost unbearable when you chew or consume foods with a hard consistency. Another frequent symptom is related to tooth sensitivity. You may feel discomfort when consuming hot or cold foods. In other cases, there may be a change in the color of the tooth or the presence of pus.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of fracture and this is why it is so important to contact the dentist immediately. In this way you will always have the situation under control, and it will be possible to monitor the evolution of the problem.
Root fracture of the tooth is a serious condition and therefore action must be taken promptly. In fact, if the problem is underestimated, complications such as inflammation of the tissues around the tooth may arise.
What to do in case of root fracture of the tooth?
Given that treatments can change based on the patient’s clinical condition and the severity of the fracture, the dentist himself will recommend the best method of intervention. Root extraction must be carried out as soon as possible with the aim of avoiding any bone infections. It is important to put yourself completely in the hands of the specialist, who will be able to decide the best type of extraction based on the situation. Once the root extraction has been successfully carried out, you can proceed with the actual replacement of the tooth by choosing between the various alternatives, namely:
* Dental implant: guarantees a result completely similar to the replaced tooth and is performed approximately three months after the extraction
* Dental bridge: this solution is opted for if there is not enough bone