With dental resorption the body cells attack and destroy part of a tooth. External resorption is when the cells on the outside of a tooth attack the outside of the tooth. Internal resorption is when the cells inside a tooth attack the inside of the tooth. Internal and external resorption are exactly the same thing but are located in different areas. Regardless of where the damage is, it is a bad thing.

         External dental resorption is worse and has a much poorer prognosis than internal tooth resorption. A tooth with external resorption eventually has to be extracted. If found early, a tooth with internal resorption can be saved with root canal therapy.

         If the dental resorption is limited to the root of a tooth, it can also be called root resorption. If the damage is from inside the root working its way out, it is called internal root resorption. Internal root resorption is often difficult to treat because it creates round hollow areas inside the root and root canal instruments are not designed to clean these areas out. If the damage started on the outside of the root and works its way inside the tooth root, it is called external root resorption. External root resorption can usually can not be treated with the common result being the extraction of the involved tooth.

          If you have dental resorption and would like to consult with Dr. Smith or Dr. Padolsky, please call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.