Tooth root

introduction

The tooth root (lat. Radix dentis) lies below the tooth crown and fixes the tooth in the tooth socket of the jaw. The transition between the tooth root and the tooth crown is called the tooth neck. The tooth root is covered by dental cement and is about twice as long as the tooth crown.
Furthermore, the tooth root has a conical structure, which means that it tapers towards the tip of the root.

Tooth neck

The tooth neck is the upper part of the Tooth root and thus lies between the tooth crown and tooth root. The neck of the tooth is not protected by enamel like the crown, but is surrounded by less protective gums.

From a histological point of view, the neck of the tooth consists of dentine. This is a thin layer of cement that, unlike root cement, does not contain any cementocytes.
If the gums become diseased and the tooth necks are exposed, painful changes in the tooth neck can occur. Also often arises at this point Caries.

Structure of the tooth root

The Tooth root consists mainly of the Dentine (Dentin) which is covered on the surface by root cement.
This is formed by the cementoblasts. The Tip of the tooth root (Apex denitis) has a small opening (Foramen apicale dentis), which serves as access for blood vessels and nerve fibers into the tooth cavity.
The pathways in the tooth cavity are called Tooth pulp designated. The narrow extensions of the tooth pulp into the tooth root are also known as root canals.

Number of roots

The human permanent teeth have different numbers of tooth roots.
The rule of thumb is that the further the tooth is in the Oral cavity has more tooth roots. There is always at least one root canal per tooth root. The exception to this rule are the first two in front Molars dar:

The first upper premolar As a rule, it has two roots, but the second upper premolar usually only has one root. So usually they have Incisors and Canines a root with a root canal, the small front molars (Premolars) have one or two roots with a corresponding number of root canals.
The large posterior molars (Molars) and the Wisdom teeth have a very different number of tooth roots.

However, the individual tooth roots can also grow together or split into two root tips. Since anomalies and deviations from the norm can always occur, it makes sense to do a tooth root removal X-ray image to create an accurate representation of the tooth roots. Also the Milk teeth have tooth roots when they are fully grown.
The deciduous incisors and canines each have a root. The Molars (Deciduous molars) in childlike denture (Milk teeth) wear in Lower jaw two and in upper jaw three roots. Anomalies are the exception in milk teeth. When changing teeth between the ages of 6 and 12, the milk teeth are displaced by the permanent teeth.
The roots of the deciduous teeth are absorbed by the subsequent teeth (absorbed) so that it appears as if the milk teeth had no roots.

Inflamed tooth root

A Inflammation of the root of the tooth must be taken seriously. If the inflammation has already spread to the depths of the tooth and the Tooth root reached, this can sometimes lead to permanent damage and even up to Loss of tooth to lead.
The tooth root describes the part of the tooth that is firmly attached to the Gums is connected and gives the tooth its stability in the dentition.

The most common cause of inflammation is the root of the tooth Caries. It is believed that bacteria and sugary foods are primarily responsible for causing this damage to the tooth.
Since contact with sugary foods and bacteria that normally occur in the mouth is inevitable, this damage is in most cases due to one poor oral hygiene traced back.
Unfortunately, such an inflammation can initially be symptom-free before it usually leads to increasingly severe pain.
If the inflammation is not treated, this inevitably leads to permanent damage to the vessels and annoythat run in the root of the tooth.

Once the nerve is completely damaged, no function can be regained and the tooth dies. A sudden stop of the feeling of pain can be an indication of this.

A good oral hygiene and regular check-ups a dentist can prevent such inflammation or stop it in the early stages as long as the changes are still reversible.

Pain

Pain related to the Tooth root should be quickly assessed by a dentist. A pain can only arise when the Nerve in the tooth is irritated. The fact that a tooth hurts from time to time can happen to everyone and does not necessarily mean that the tooth is diseased. Consists for a long time a persistent or recurring pain, this can be an indication that something is wrong and something should be done at the latest.

If the tooth root is inflamed, there is initially pain when pressure is applied to the tooth, for example when chewing. Later it comes to one throbbing, persistent pain. If the pain suddenly stops after a while, it may even mean that the nerve in the tooth died is and thus also the whole tooth.

Remove tooth root

Is only the tip of the tooth root, i.e. the one deepest in the Gums sedentary point, inflamed, there is a possibility of one Apicectomy.
To get to the tip of the root, the gum is first cut and the Jawbone opened. The tip of the tooth root is then removed and filled like a root canal treatment. This operation can also be performed on an outpatient basis.

If the entire tooth root is inflamed, one is recommended Root canal treatment. Here the tooth is drilled open and that Nerve tissue removed. The inflammation is completely eliminated. In the case of severe inflammation, it must first take a few days drug can be used. Finally, the root of the tooth is drained and filled.

At Apicectomy or inflammation that is not too advanced, the prognosis is very good. However, if so much tissue has been damaged that the tooth becomes very loose, the tooth is often lost.