What is a Verticle Root Fracture and How Does it Get Fixed?

Root canals are designed to remove the nerve of the tooth and seal it off to prevent further damage or decay, so how could you be experiencing pain? Continue reading for more information and to learn how this problem can be fixed.

Vertical Root Fractures Explained

During a root canal procedure, the dentist completely removes the nerve of the tooth as well as any decay, cleans and irrigates the canal in which the nerve once was, and seals the tooth off to protect it from further decay.

A vertical root fracture usually runs from the top of the tooth-the crown- all the way to the roots. There are a few different reasons that a tooth may experience a vertical root fracture:

• If the roots have a narrow structure, they may be at risk for fracturing.
• Root canal treatment can sometimes leave the canal inside the tooth dehydrated, causing the tooth to become brittle and break.
• The root canal procedure itself has the potential to lead to an overall weakened tooth.

An individual who is experiencing a vertical root fracture will feel pain when pressure is applied to the affected tooth. If the tooth becomes infected, there may be a boil inside the mouth close to the tooth. The infection may cause a subsequent unpleasant taste in the mouth, as well. In most cases, the patient will then be referred to an endodontist, a dentist which specializes in root canals.

How Are Verticle Root Fractures Treated?

The endodontist or dentist will examine the tooth and have an x-ray taken in order to determine if there is a fracture in the tooth. In most cases, if the tooth has indeed experienced a vertical root fracture, it will have to be extracted from the mouth; the nature of a vertical root fracture, as well as the size, makes it nearly impossible to salvage with restorative treatment.

After the tooth has been extracted, you will have a few different options for replacing the tooth and filling the space that now exists in your smile line:

• Dental implant: A titanium device that is placed directly into the bone and is covered with a crown to almost perfectly mimic the natural tooth. This is the most desirable option, but it may not be an option for those who are financially limited, or for those with little bone structure.
• Bridge: A bridge is a prosthetic cap that consists of three (or more) units. It fills the space in the mouth by resting on the two surrounding anchor teeth. This method is effective, but it requires the alteration of the two anchor teeth, which are otherwise sound and healthy.
• Partial denture: In some cases, a partial denture will be made to fill the spaces in the smile line. This is usually avoided, as dentures can be difficult to adjust to, but it is often the most cost-effective option.

If you are experiencing a vertical root fracture in a tooth that has been treated with a root canal, speak with your dentist at Willow Glen Dental Center to determine what your options are for treatment.