Treating a Fractured Root
A fractured root can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. If you find that you have a root fracture, you need to make sure it gets treated immediately not only to alleviate the pain but also to stop any infection from spreading.
Below is more about what a root fracture is, how serious they can be, and possible treatment options for a root fracture.
What is a Root Fracture?
A root fracture is a condition in which a tooth gets cracked beneath the gum line, across the tooth's root. Typically, such a fracture is the result of traumatic injury to a tooth’s root. However, biting down too hard or other contributing factors can also lead to a fractured root.
Types of Root Fractures
Root fractures can happen in multiple ways. Some common forms of root fractures include:
- Split-tooth fractures
- Fractures below the gums
- Vertical root fractures
What Are the Causes of a Fractured Root
Root fractures can occur for different reasons. Some of these include when:
- The tooth is damaged by blunt force trauma, which can include a car accident, sports-related injury, etc.
- Big fillings weaken the integrity of the structure of a tooth
- Abrupt temperature changes happen within the mouth
- Teeth are used to open packaging
Is a Root Fracture Serious?
A tooth root fracture is a significant dental emergency. Apart from being uncomfortable, these fractures can lead to severe oral health issues if left untreated. It's vital to get professional help for a root fracture promptly—even if it means an emergency dentist visit.
Delaying treatment could necessitate a tooth extraction by your dentist to prevent an infection from spreading.
Treating a Fractured Root
If you have a root fracture, it’s very important to treat any infection that may have occurred before anything else. In order to do this, your dentist will typically carry out a root canal procedure. This treatment involves eliminating the infected tooth tissue to halt the spread of infection. Once repaired, your dentist might opt to fit a dental crown, which is a prosthetic that replaces a tooth's crown.
Your dentist wants to maintain as much of your natural tooth as possible, so they will do everything they can to avoid extracting a tooth due to a fracture. With that said, if the damage or infection is bad enough, they may be forced to remove the tooth.
Contact Us
If you suspect a cracked tooth root and/or suffer from any oral discomfort, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment. An outstanding dentist will examine your tooth to pinpoint the source of the discomfort and prescribe a suitable treatment to resolve the issue. This may include a root canal and, in a severe case, an extraction. With that said, the earlier you visit, the higher the likelihood of saving the tooth.
Schedule your appointment today!