Root Growth Sickness

Root Growth Sickness, also known as Demon Teeth or Giganta-Hyperdontia, is a supernatural illness that came about as a result of The Withering. Suggested to be caused as a result of high Mana exposure, Root Growth Sickness results in the conversion of calcium into bone.

Transmission & Vectors

Although the exact cause is unknown aside from the fact that it only occurs after exposure to massive amounts of Mana, speculation exists that it occurs due to the transformation of certain genes. These genes, dormant or otherwise, that had played a part in the development in extra teeth (usually as a result of Hyperdontia, end up being altered heavily by Mana. This, combined with the rapid dispersal of Mana and it's fast-acting properties, results in Root Growth.

Symptoms

The effects are subtle initially, but if left unchecked it can grow out of control. Oftentimes infected individuals will find one of their teeth having grown outward, appearing much larger than it had prior, and with an extraordinary amount of pain. Parts of the tooth will have gotten sharper, digging into the gums and pushing aside other teeth. A dull, aching pain within the jaw has been described for some, due to the fact that bone and flesh are transformed into tooth enamel and dentin.

In extreme cases, individuals will have antler-like protrousions coming out of the jawline, giving one the appearance of horns coming out of the underside of their mouth.

What happens is that, when these genes get transformed-- or mutated, as my colleagues have refuted, the tooth begins to absorb nutrients from the blood and bone surrounding it, transmorgifying it into more of itself. It's a fast-acting process, too, as once it begins, it can take only a month for it to have absorbed your jaw.

— Cherlynn Oliver, Lead Scientist of ARC

Treatment

late stage root growth

Taken on October 21st, 2038 by ARC Scientists Charon Romero & Cherlynn Oliver.

Excision of the infected tooth is typically the common course, with extra surgery having to be done to remove any transformed parts of the jaw or gum. In the event that a Arcanist Ceramist isn't available, bone from another part of the body or a donor is often transplanted into the jaw and held in place with screws until it connects. The replacement of missing tissue with the gafting of gum is often done afterward.

Prognosis

If left unchecked, the growth will expand until a quarter of the infected's jaw is turned into enamel. Due to the injuries sustained from the formation of spikes and tears upon the flesh, infection via other diseases can occur. Because of this, treatment of Root Growth is often done posthaste.

Prevention

As the cause hasn't been properly determined yet, awareness is made of Root Growth via organized bodies such as ARC so that if one suspects themselves of having aquired it, they can quickly go see a medical professional.

Cultural Reception

In the first decade after The Withering, the disease had obtained the nickname of Demon Teeth, due to the fact that they would come out of the bottom of one's jawline and look akin to horns. Usage of this nickname has been discouraged over the years, due to the negative associations it brings to Demons.

Members of more fringe splinters of the Fleshist Organic Church have often seen Root Growth as a sign that the person infected has been blessed by god, with the person in question being showered with gifts as a result. The head of the Main Church, Aorta, has dismissed any whom have seen the disease as a part of the church.

If god truly had wanted to gift my poor flock with something, it would not be a mutation that would bring upon such agony. God is kind with the transformations we are given.

— Aorta

Tooth in early stages of Root Growth

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Vampires
• Humanity
• Nymphs