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Root Resorption Damage

Root resorption is defined as a compromised tooth root which is subject to further damage and the eventual loss of the entire root structure of a tooth. When the damage to the root extends to the whole tooth, it is called tooth resorption. Root resorption can vary in severity from some mild evidence of microscopic pits in the root surface to complete severe devastation of the root surface. Once the root damage spreads to the entire root, it is very difficult to treat, and often leads to the inevitable extraction of the tooth.

Baby teeth root resorption is a natural process, caused by pressure from the erupting secondary teeth.

However, root resorption in secondary teeth is most often due the pressure from orthodontic treatment. It can also be caused by trauma to the tooth, some aggressive tumours, and other special circumstances, but the most common root cause, if you pardon the pun, is your dentist.

Patients who require prolonged orthodontic treatment or treatment involving a significant degree of tooth movement need to be careful about the risks of root resorption prior to orthodontic treatment.

Risk factors for patients are the degree of force during the orthodontic application, the duration of treatment, morphology of teeth and the nature of the adjacent bone.
Patients who have a prior history of root resorption may also be at higher risk is they have an orthodontic treatments. Their is also evidence that older patients may be more of a risk for root resorption, though there was no marked difference between males and females.

How long is too long for braces?

According to the Institute of Dentistry in Helsinki in Finland Europe, who reviewed 625 patients with braces the "the mean duration of treatment in patients without root resorption was 1.5 years, whereas in those with severe resorption the mean was 2.3 years". For those with mild to moderate treatments of 6 months to 18 months, the risk of root resorption is not significant. For those with severe 24-36 month treatment schedules, root resorption is a real risk. It is recommended that those undergoing long orthodontic treatments follow up with detailed X-Rays 6 months following the termination of the treatment to check for any possible damage to the roots.