Internal Resorption

What is internal resorption?

Resorption is an inflammatory process that causes the loss of hard tissue in your teeth. Internal resorption begins in the pulpy interior of your tooth and leads to loss of cementum and dentin — two types of hard tissue that lie beneath the enamel of your teeth. 

Internal resorption isn’t fully understood. However, researchers believe that the pulp inside your teeth turns into granulomatous tissue, including giant cells that resorb the dentin that surrounds them. Granulomatous tissue is vascularized tissue that results from chronic inflammation. 

In most cases, internal resorption is the result of dental trauma. Additionally, untreated cavities can cause inflammation inside your tooth and lead to internal resorption.

When left untreated, internal resorption can lead to necrosis — tissue death — inside your tooth and abscess formation. 

What are the signs of internal resorption?

Internal resorption doesn’t usually cause pain or other symptoms, especially in its early stages. However, as the condition progresses, you might notice that your tooth looks pink. This happens because the granulomatous tissue is pink with blood vessels and shines through your tooth enamel. 

You might also experience tooth sensitivity or pain. As the granulomatous tissue nears the surface of your tooth, it can respond to temperature or exposure to oral fluids. 

If your internal resorption progresses to the point of necrosis, you develop an abscess and related symptoms, including tooth pain, swelling, and tooth discoloration.

How is internal resorption diagnosed?

In most cases, internal resorption is diagnosed when you have routine dental X-rays. The vascularized tissue looks like dark spots inside your teeth. Your dentist asks about your dental history, including injuries. They complete additional testing to evaluate the condition of your tooth in more detail. 

How is internal resorption treated?

The team at 3D MicroEndo usually recommends root canal therapy to treat internal resorption. Your teeth and surrounding tissue are thoroughly numbed during a root canal. 

Your endodontist makes a small opening in your tooth and carefully removes the damaged and diseased tissue from the inside of your tooth. After carefully cleaning the inside of your tooth to ensure that no debris or bacteria remains, your endodontist fills your tooth with dental cement and seals it with a filling. 

In many cases, they recommend that you have the treated tooth fitted with a dental crown for additional protection. 

If you’re concerned about internal resorption or have been told to seek expert endodontic care, call 3D MicroEndo or make an appointment online today.