Access Platform
Tooth Resorption

Rebrief Support

Dental Conditions Dental Glossary

1 min read

Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is a pathological process in which specialized cells called odontoclasts break down and dissolve the mineralized tissues of a tooth — including dentin, cementum, and in some cases the pulp — resulting in progressive structural loss that can ultimately threaten the tooth’s survival.

Types of Tooth Resorption

Resorption is broadly classified by its site of origin:

  • Internal resorption begins within the pulp chamber or root canal, where inflammatory cells attack the dentinal walls from the inside out, typically appearing on radiographs as a round or oval radiolucency within the root.
  • External root resorption originates on the outer root surface, affecting the cementum and underlying dentin. Subtypes include apical, cervical, and replacement resorption (ankylosis).
  • External cervical resorption occurs near the cementoenamel junction and can be particularly aggressive, invading coronal dentin while often leaving the pulp initially intact.

Causes and Risk Factors

The triggering mechanism varies by type, but well-recognized contributing factors include:

  • Dental trauma or injury disrupting the periodontal ligament
  • Orthodontic treatment, particularly prolonged or excessive force application
  • Chronic periapical infection or pulp necrosis
  • High-concentration tooth bleaching agents
  • Impacted teeth exerting sustained pressure on adjacent roots

Clinical Significance

Tooth resorption is frequently asymptomatic in early stages, making routine radiographic screening essential for timely detection. When symptoms do appear, they may include thermal sensitivity, unexplained pain, or a pinkish hue visible through the crown — a hallmark sign of internal resorption as the vascular pulp tissue becomes visible through thinned dentin walls.

Left untreated, advanced resorption can destroy enough root structure to render the tooth non-restorable. Treatment depends on type and severity: internal resorption is typically managed with root canal therapy to eliminate the inflammatory stimulus, while external resorption may require surgical debridement, restorative buildup, or extraction in end-stage cases.

Identifying resorption early through periapical radiographs or cone-beam CT imaging gives clinicians the best opportunity to preserve natural tooth structure and protect the surrounding alveolar bone before irreversible damage occurs.