09/04/2026
🦷 Freaky Fact Friday: Your Body Can Actually Start Dissolving a Tooth Root 😳
It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but it’s real.
It’s called root resorption, and it happens when the body begins breaking down and absorbing the hard structure of a tooth’s root.
Normally, this process is helpful — it’s how the roots of baby teeth naturally dissolve so they can fall out. But when resorption happens to an adult tooth, it can become a problem.
👀 What can cause it?
• Trauma or a previous injury to the tooth
• Orthodontic tooth movement
• Infection or inflammation
• Impacted teeth
• Sometimes…the cause isn’t completely clear
The really freaky part?
👉 Root resorption may have little to no symptoms at first.
Depending on the type and location, it may be discovered during a routine dental X-ray before you ever know something is happening.
If it progresses, it can weaken the tooth and eventually affect its long-term prognosis.
💙 The good news: Finding resorption early gives your dental team the best opportunity to monitor it and determine whether treatment is needed.
Just another reason those routine X-rays can show us things your teeth aren't telling you yet. 👀🩻
