Can I leave Fractured Tooth Root In?
A fractured tooth root is a break or crack in any tooth that occurs in the root of the tooth, which is generally below the gumline. The root of the tooth is the part of your tooth that holds each tooth to your jawbone. If you suspect that a tooth has broken at the root, it is essential to seek a dentist as soon as possible to resolve the issue. The sooner you seek treatment, the greater the chances of recovering the tooth and promoting a better quality of life for you.
There are several ways to resolve a broken tooth at the root. Each one of them will be guided according to the recommendations of the dentist and the case found. In the simplest cases, the fragments of the fractured root can be positioned, and a flexible containment used for an estimated period (approximately 4 weeks, which can last up to 4 months).
In some cases, it may be necessary to perform root canal treatment when there is necrosis of the tooth pulp. However, in some cases, this type of intervention may still not be successful. For example, in cases where the root is very fractured, there is no possibility of recovery, requiring a more drastic intervention. Thus, another way of solving a broken tooth at the root is to perform the implant. In these cases, it is essential to carry out the replacement as soon as possible. That's because, right after the tooth is removed, the process of bone resorption begins. Thus, the body causes the loss of supporting bone tissue, since that region will no longer have a function.
In these situations, if possible, the professional may choose to implement the pin for the implant, replacing the dental root and thus ensuring the support function of the bone, until it is possible to perform the dental implant in the region, carrying out the planning of the procedure in consultation to resolve the emergency.
The type of treatment to be carried out will depend on the type of fracture that occurred in the root. The professional is the best person to identify if there is a possibility of repair or if it is better to perform the extraction and opt for the implant.
Other factors that are also considered for the choice of treatment are:
- the time between the generation of the problem and the response;
- the degree of root displacement;
- tooth mobility;
- the location of the fracture;
- the period in which containment can be carried out;
- the stage of root development after trauma;
- the patient's age.
The time to start the intervention for the treatment has a big differential. As we said, the more time passes, the greater the chances of bone absorption and, therefore, of you not being able to perform an implant in the future or causing complications. For example, edema can worsen and compromise the bone structure, generating the process of bone loss. Thus, it is not just the affected part that can be compromised, but the entire surrounding structure.
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, go to the professional as soon as possible. In general, they will not fix themselves and you cannot let a fractured tooth root go untreated. Even if it is not a problem related to a broken tooth at the root, you may have some kind of problem to be solved by the professional. If any part of the tooth remains and you manage to identify and collect it, keep it, clean it only with warm water and take it to the professional who will take care of the matter.