I Have Lost A Couple Of Teeth To Resorption

Posted on Wed, 5 Feb 2025

Question: I have lost a couple of teeth to resorption.. my back upper molars on the left side.. the back molar I did not replace but the second to the last molar I am going to replace with an implant.. I had it pulled last November and had a bone graft.. the area is still sensitive where they cut it to get the tooth out on the gum line..when they removed the tooth .. the tooth came out with only one root.. maybe the other roots had been resorbed?? I had a X-ray at my dentist and he did an oral exam and said things looked good but why am I still having sensitivity? Can I go through with the implant with the sensitivity??

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need x-ray to assess

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing in.

Can you please elaborate a bit more whether you have sensitivity to hot or cold. Is it possible for you to send me the x- ray for proper assessment. You might have had a dry socket if you are a smoker which results in pain and takes longer to heal the socket. If you don’t have any remaining root than you may have dry socket which might require dressing.
Please get back to me with xrays and I would be able to get back to you.
Thanks
Dr Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (19 minutes later)

Sorry I have no X-ray tonight I could maybe get it tomorrow.. I have no sensitivity to hot or cold .. I have no trouble eating in that area.. my dentist did not see anything on X-ray or oral exam..it never really bothers me until I start playing with it with my tongue.. it is just one area that has a indentation where I think they cut to get the tooth out..it is not real painful just achy sometimes.. do you see resorption much.. what would cause two back molars to have resorbtion.. I probably had the condition for awhile but the dentist never found it on X-ray or oral exam .. I kept going back because I had a little sensitivity and a bad taste in my mouth.. does that ever affect my overall health.. like heart health? Both of them are now gone.. and I no longer have that bad taste in my mouth!

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (28 minutes later)

Also I am not a smoker.. very much into health and exercise..

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do warm saline rinses 2-3 times a day for better healing

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for getting back to me.

You can continue with warm saline rinses 2-3 times a day, which will help in better healing. Please send me the x-rays for better evaluation.
You can consult oral surgeon to assess bone resorption.

Thanks
Dr. Neha Sumra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Neha Sumra (40 hours later)

I have been trying to get X-rays but they closed the office this week.. I will send later.. because I had a couple of teeth involved and it was probably like that for a while ..would the inflammation and the bacteria affect me systemically?? I am surprised they did not discover it for a couple of years if not more..I have a picture of the tooth.. but the root must have been resorbed on one side.. I did wear braces would that have caused it?

Answered by Dr. Neha Sumra (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You will have symptoms if they affect systemically

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

If there is any inflammation or systemic condition then you will definitely have swelling, pain, redness and it will reflect in blood reports and GP can diagnose but it doesn’t look like that. Please send pictures and xray and I will get back to you.

Thanks
Dr Neha Sumra

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng