Root Resorption & Short Teeth Roots

Tooth roots are one part of the mouth many people don't give any thought to until they are in pain. But roots play a critical role in a tooth's health. One possible area of concern regarding them is root resorption.

Root resorption is when the body’s immune system dissolves a tooth’s root structure. It can happen internally or externally. It can result in the loosening of teeth and even tooth loss. 

The process is like losing a baby tooth. When a tooth is ready to dislodge, the body signals to the bone between the baby tooth and the permanent tooth to waste away along with the baby tooth’s root.

Tooth resorption occurs outside the baby tooth-losing window. It most often occurs in people between the ages of 21 and 30 and is more prevalent in women than men. 

There are some typical tooth resorption causes, including:

• Tooth nerve infection
• Gum infection
• Tooth movement stemming from orthodontic treatment
• Tooth impaction
• Chronic teeth grinding

The cause is unknown in some rare cases. Resorption symptoms include pain, swelling, and lose teeth. Many cases are asymptomatic. Other conditions contributing to tooth resorption include hyperparathyroidism, Paget’s disease, calcinosis, Gaucher’s disease, and Turner’s syndrome.

Developmentally rare, short teeth roots possess full root formation but are genetically determined to be shorter than typical. A short root is either the same size or smaller than a dental crown. It also tends to be bilaterally involved while showing no visible reason for being shorter than typical. 

Having short tooth roots is referred to as a short root anomaly (SRA). It affects teeth bilaterally with a tendency for the maxillary incisors and the premolars – both the maxillary and the mandibular. SRA is typically associated with other dental abnormalities, including hypodontia, supernumerary teeth, microdontia, dens invaginatus, taurodontism, and obliterated pulp chambers.

Tooth root resorption isn't that common, though. It only impacts less than 10% of the general population who haven't had orthodontic work done.

As mentioned, root resorption occurs mostly in folks between the ages of 21 and 30. It doesn’t appear to be a common oral health issue associated with gaining, such as bad breath or dry mouth. While tooth loss is common in older people, that is more likely a result of gum disease as opposed to short roots.

Tooth root resorption and braces are linked. Braces create pressure to move misaligned teeth to their correct position. That pressure creates enzymes that dissolve existing bone. New bone forms where the tooth needs to be situated.

Once the bone rebuilds itself to accommodate the tooth’s new position, the roots can become shorter in some cases. The root’s length alters simply from moving to its new location. The braces process shortens a tooth’s root between 5% to 15%. This is totally normal and probably not even noticeable.

Tooth root resorption treatment options vary depending on the specific cause. Your dentist might take imaging tests before determining any treatment course of action. The images will aid in showing the severity of the resorption. A mild case might only involve treating symptoms such as pain and swelling. To determine that the roots are actually "short," consider obtaining an endodontic consult before proceeding with additional treatment.

Once the resorption's severity is understood, the next question is, can the tooth be saved? If the resorption hasn't totally destroyed the remaining tooth root, it can be saved by performing a root canal. A root canal removes the unhealthy nerve tissue from inside the tooth.

It is also possible to reverse the resorption's effects on the teeth by repairing the damage. A dentist needs to diagnose the issue and discuss the options with the patient.

The most serious of cases could require a tooth extraction if the resorption is too advanced to treat with a root canal.

Prevention is the best way to treat resorption. Start by practicing regular dental hygiene. That means brushing twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don't forget to clean between your teeth daily with dental floss, a water flosser, or an interdental cleaning device such as an interdental brush. Of course, get regular dental checkups. Your dentist can identify mouth health issues before they become serious.

Consult your dentist to discuss any questions about root resorption and short teeth roots. Or, check out the Smile Generation Find a Dentist tool to find a dentist near you for all your mouth health needs. You can read patient reviews, peruse staff bios, and schedule an appointment online with a click of your mouse.