Health

What are the Types of Dental Root Fractures in Pacific Beach, San Diego?

Several kinds of fractures affect the tooth roots. There are two types of root fractures: transverse and oblique. The crown is the part of our teeth that we clean and utilize to chew food and talk. The outer layer of the crown is made of enamel, the toughest material in the oral cavity. The roots of the teeth, however, extend farther into the jawbone and gums. We shall learn about the many kinds of fractures in this blog article, as described by a family dentist in Pacific Beach, San Diego.

Layers of Teeth

A tooth is composed of three main layers. The outermost and toughest layer is the enamel. Deeper to enamel is the layer of dentin, which is the second or the middle layer. The deepest layer is known as pulp. The nerves and blood arteries of a tooth are found in the dental pulp. The patient will experience excruciating pain if the tooth is damaged or infected. An infection or fracture that leads to the pulp causes the most discomfort. 

Types of Fractures

Oblique root fracture

An oblique root fracture occurs below the gum line and can extend into the jaw. This fracture is very painful and requires endodontic treatment.

Oblique subgingival fracture

An oblique subgingival fracture comprises a fracture that covers more of the tooth and can even reach down the root to the jawbone below the gumline.

Oblique supragingival fracture

An oblique supragingival fracture has a crack in the upper portion of the tooth that is above the gum line. This type of fracture may not cause immediate pain but can lead to infection or pain in the future without treatment.

Vertical furcation fracture

A vertical furcation fracture involves the tooth splitting and becoming two or more roots.

Vertical root fracture

If part of the tooth root breaks off, it is known as a vertical root fracture. The cause will often involve brittle roots due to nerve death in the tooth.

Vertical apical root fracture

A vertical apical root fracture is a fracture directly down the middle of the tooth and root.

See a doctor as soon as you can if you are experiencing any of these problems or discomfort in your mouth that is not related to any recognized condition. The problem will worsen the longer you wait. Ask a regular dentist for referrals or help if you’re not sure how to locate an endodontist in your region.