Internal Resorption (Pink Tooth of Mummery)

 

Definition

• it is an idiopathic slow or fast progressive resorptive process occurring in dentin of the pulp chamber or root canals of teeth. 

• It is known as pink tooth of mummery due to its pinking discoloration of crown and named after anatomist Mummery. 

First Reported by Bell in 1830.

Causes/ Etiology

Not Known, but generally patients have history of trauma.

Histopathology

• It is a result of the osteoclastic activity.
• Resorptive process is characterised by lacunae which may be filled by osteoid tissue
• Osteoid tissue may be regarded as attempt of repair.

Symptoms

• Asymptomatic 
• Pain occurs if resorption perforates the root. 
• Pink tooth is pathognomonic feature. 
• Pulp shows either partial or complete necrosis. 
• In crown may be manifested as a reddish area called “Pink Spot” which is due to granulation tisue showing throgh resorbed area. 

Diagnosis

Clinically- Pink Tooth appearance.

Radiographic Changes-

-Well defined radiolucency of uniform density which balloons out of root canal- Gartner et al. 

-Original root canal outline is distorted. 

-Bone changes seen only when root perforation into PDL place.

Differential Diagnosis

-When it progresses into periodontal space and perforation of root occurs it is difficult to differentiate from external resorption. 

-In internal resorption defect is more extensive on pulpal wall than root surface.

Treatment

Extirption of pulp stops resorption process. 

Routine endodontic treatment is indicated