My tooth has root resorption, what do you recommend?

[Joe 1]

Hello

A few years ago, I had a riding accident and traumatised my front tooth in the accident. Recently my dentist has said that the tooth has developed root resorption and needs to be removed soon.

The tooth is not causing any discomfort but it has become looser and looser recently and probably my dentist is right in that in needs to be removed. I would like to know what my options would be once the tooth is removed. Can I have something as a temporary measure just to close the gap for now once the tooth is removed?

Is there anything that can be done to make the tooth more firm again and save the tooth so that it does not need to be removed? Is root resorption reversible and can the root be regrown?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

Root resorption is not reversible and at best it can only be stopped. This involve the use of non setting calcium hydroxide placement in the root canal and it is not always successful. Your tooth need to be assessed clinically but if the defect is that extensive that has caused loosening of the tooth, then your dentist may be correct in suggesting that you need extraction of the tooth.

One the tooth is extracted the options for causing the gap traditionally are dentures or in some cases use of sticky bridges.