What If You Have Exposed Tooth Roots
Exposed tooth roots is a common problem that patients may experience. The root of a tooth is the portion of the tooth that sits in the jaw bone and is covered by gum tissue. Gum disease is the number one reason that a patient may have gum recession and left untreated, can eventually lead to tooth loss.
What are the symptoms of an exposed tooth root?
Gum disease can typically be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular visits with your dentist. Some patients are genetically predisposed to periodontal issues and some may be on medications that cause dry mouth which can lead to gum recession and exposed tooth roots.
There are a few symptoms that may indicate an exposed tooth root, the most common being tooth sensitivity. You may also notice that your tooth appears longer than in the past and may even experience swelling around the gum tissue. It is important to note that symptoms of an exposed root may also be a sign of other dental issues but your dentist will be able to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.
How is an exposed root treated?
Though an exposed tooth root can be painful and risk the health of the tooth, there are a few options available to treat the area and your dentist will be able to help you determine what treatment is best for your individual case. If your dentist believes you need treatment from a specialist, they will refer you to a trusted periodontist. Let’s take a look at some of the treatment options used to treat exposed tooth roots.
Periodontal Treatment: A scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) is more involved than a regular cleaning and requires local anesthetic. Your hygienist will use special tools to reach below the gumline to remove tartar build up and clear infection.
Tissue Graft: A gum graft can be placed to cover the area with harvested tissue either from elsewhere in the patient's mouth or from a tissue bank. The graft is placed over the affected area and helps to encourage new tissue growth in the area.
Root Canal Therapy: A root canal is a great way to relieve pain when a deep cleaning will not be sufficient. This treatment is done by an endodontist and is done to remove infected pulp from within the canals of the tooth roots.
Extraction: Removing a tooth is often a last resort. It is important to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible but sometimes, it is best for the health of the patient to extract a tooth that is hopeless.
Exposed tooth roots can be very painful. Even if you do not have symptoms or if you experience mild tooth sensitivity, you should see your dentist for an evaluation. Gum recession will only get worse without treatment and exposed tooth roots should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the tooth. Your dentist will help determine what treatment path will be best for you to keep your smile healthy!