Curved Tooth Roots and Why Some Extractions Take Longer

On an X-ray, most tooth roots look like a slightly tapered peg. Some bend partway down, occasionally at close to a right angle. Dentists call this dilaceration.

Where it shows up

Bent roots are most common in molars and wisdom teeth, although any tooth can have one. The bend forms while the tooth is still growing. A knock to a baby tooth can disturb the adult tooth developing underneath it, and a tooth that meets resistance as it grows can end up curved as well.

It rarely causes symptoms. Many people only find out when an X-ray is taken for another reason, such as a toothache or a planned wisdom tooth removal.

What it means for an extraction

A straight root comes out along the path it grew in. A bent root has no such path. If the tooth is pulled in the wrong direction, the tip can snap and stay in the bone, and removing that fragment afterwards takes more work than planning for it at the start. Too much force can also put strain on the bone around the socket.

So a tooth can look easy to remove from above the gum and still take longer than expected.

How we plan for it

• An X-ray before any extraction. It shows how many roots there are, how long they are and which way they point. For wisdom teeth close to the nerve or the sinus, the dentist may suggest a 3D scan.
• Sectioning when needed. A tooth whose roots point in different directions can be divided into pieces, so each piece comes out along its own path with less force.
• Local anesthesia. You should feel pressure but not pain. If something hurts, tell the dentist and more anesthetic can be given.
• Aftercare. You will be told how long to bite on the gauze, what to eat for the first day or two and how to keep the area clean.

Having a wisdom tooth out? Ask the dentist to show you the X-ray first. It takes a minute, and you will see exactly what they are working with.

Is a curved root a problem?

Usually not. It is a common variation and dentists see it often. It only causes trouble when nobody notices it before the extraction begins, which is why the X-ray matters.

If a wisdom tooth keeps getting sore or trapping food, or your dentist has said a tooth should come out, you can book an examination with us on WhatsApp. Our team includes a dental radiology specialist, drg. Dylan Dharmalaksana, Sp. RKG, who reads complex X-rays and scans.