What is a common cause of concrescence in teeth?

Concrescence refers to the fusion of two or more teeth at their roots, which can occur during the development of the teeth. A common cause of concrescence is trauma, typically resulting in changes to the structure or positioning of the teeth during development. This may promote the close approximation of roots, leading to fusion over time.

Traumatic events can involve physical impacts to the teeth during critical developmental stages, such as falls or blows to the mouth, which may disrupt the normal growth patterns of the teeth and result in abnormal dental relationships.

In contrast, while dental caries can affect overall dental health, there is no direct mechanism by which they lead to root fusion. Similarly, genetic factors may predispose individuals to certain dental anomalies, but they are not a direct cause of concrescence. Infection can also impact dental health and development, but it does not specifically lead to concrescence like trauma can. Thus, trauma is recognized as a key factor associated with the occurrence of concrescence in teeth.