Tooth resorption is a process in which the body begins to attack one or more teeth, treating them as foreign bodies that need destruction. The teeth involved will be eaten away and the patient may experience pain, numbness and discomfort, as well as notice changes in the shape and size of the teeth. The causes of tooth resorption are not fully understood and there are treatments available, although it is sometimes necessary to extract the involved teeth.
There are several forms of tooth resorption. External resorption begins with the outer layers of the teeth and tends to be more severe, while internal resorption comes out of the core of the tooth and is less noticeable at first. People can also develop root resorption, where only the root of the tooth is involved. Internal resorption and root resorption can be treated with root canal procedures, while external resorption usually results in extraction.
Sometimes this damage to the teeth can be related to ongoing periodontal disease and inflammatory processes. Chronic inflammation can trigger peculiar immune reactions as the body adapts to the inflammation, and sometimes the body can start attacking its own tissues. In other cases, there may be no clear cause or warning sign for tooth resorption, with the patient simply developing dental problems spontaneously. Even people with healthy, well-maintained teeth can experience resorption.
In people with this dental disorder, x-rays of the teeth, as well as a physical exam, can be used to identify resorption and determine how far it has progressed. This information will be helpful when the dentist develops a treatment plan and discusses options with the patient. Getting treatment is important, as damage to the teeth can cause chronic pain and other problems for the patient if allowed to persist. It is also important for patients to be aware that even if their oral health has been excellent, they can still develop tooth resorption.
Humans are not the only animals that can experience spontaneous tooth resorption. Tooth resorption is also very common in cats. Many older cats develop lesions in their mouths as their teeth break down with age. An oral exam will often show redness and irritation symptomatic of inflammation around the sites of badly eroded teeth. For cats, treatment is usually removal of the involved teeth, and dietary changes may be necessary, such as switching to soft foods that the cat can eat more comfortably.