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Dental health is one of the most ignored things and ignorance can lead to permanent damage. Many athletes. Active individuals and children sometimes suffer a tooth root fracture and assume it will heal without treatment. But can a fractured tooth root actually heal on its own, or is that just a misconception? Read the blog below to find out the answer.
What Is a Fractured Tooth Root?
Tooth root fracture is a fracture below the gum line of the tooth root. Root fractures can be hard to identify without a dentist’s checkup because they are located under the gums and jawbone.
The severity of the fracture can vary. Some fractures create shallow fracture lines with minimal displacement, while others extend deeper into the tooth root and the surrounding tissues.
Can a Fractured Tooth Root Heal on Its Own?
A fractured tooth root cannot regenerate or repair itself like other tissues in the body. After the root is damaged, the crack will stay there. If not treated, bacteria may get into the broken space and lead to infection or worsening of the problem.
In very rare cases, certain types of root fractures cause only limited damage to the surrounding tissues, allowing healing to occur, especially in younger patients. But the broken root does not heal completely naturally.
Signs of a Fractured Tooth Root
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- Pain that comes and goes
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
- Swelling around the affected tooth or gums
- Discomfort when releasing biting pressure
- Visible crack or fracture line on the tooth
- Pain while eating hard foods
- Tooth feels rough or uneven
- Gum tenderness near the damaged tooth
- Persistent toothache without an obvious cavity
- Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
- Loose tooth fragments or chipped pieces
What Causes a Tooth Root Fracture?
Dental Trauma
The impact of a fall, sports injury, or accident may be enough to fracture the root of a tooth.
Biting Hard Objects
Chewing ice, hard candy, bones or other hard food can be too hard on the tooth.
Teeth Grinding
Long-term grinding or clenching can make teeth weaker with time and make them more likely to break.
Previous Dental Procedures
Tooth cracks can occur when dentists work on a tooth many times, like when it has a large filling, or when the root has been treated.
How Dentists Diagnose a Root Fracture
The diagnosis of a root fracture may be difficult to make as the crack may not be visible, and a detailed examination may be necessary. Dentist can use:
- Digital dental X-rays
- Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scans
- Bite tests
- A clinical examination of the gums and tooth should be conducted
Advanced imaging is used at Dental Clinic Islamabad to locate the fracture and to help assess its severity to decide on the most appropriate treatment option.
What Happens If a Fractured Tooth Root Is Left Untreated?
- Persistent tooth pain
- Dental abscess formation
- This means that there is bone loss around the tooth.
- Gum infection
- Tooth mobility
- Complete tooth loss
Treatment Options for a Fractured Tooth Root
Root Canal Treatment
If the fracture has involved the dental pulp but the tooth has not become unstable, a root canal treatment may be a possible option for tooth preservation.
Dental Crown
Crown may be used to restore and preserve remaining tooth structure.
Splinting
In some cases of traumatic fracture of the root, the tooth might need to be temporarily splinted for healing of the surrounding tissues.
Tooth Extraction
In cases where the break is deep into the root and is not salvageable, extraction might be the best option.
Dental Implant or Bridge
Your dentist might suggest a dental implant or bridge after the extraction to replace your missing tooth and restore function and appearance.
Can You Prevent Tooth Root Fractures?
Yes you can prevent by taking the following measures:
- Use of sports mouthguards during sporting activities.
- Eating food without chewing, hard objects – very small pieces
- Using a nightguard for teeth grinding treatment
- Regular dental checkups are important.
- Solving oral health issues early on
Conclusion
If you have any fractured tooth root, call us at Dental Clinic Islamabad and book your appointment to get the best treatment and get the best care by our qualified dentistry experts.
