The Journal
*Dr. Sabiha Chawla Pandhi
**Dr. Mohita Gupta
Etiology of external apical root resorption
External apical root resorption (EARR) is an imperfectly understood problem of orthodontic
treatment. Root resorption is a common complication but there is some evidence that once
appliances are removed this resorption stops. Some of the risk pointers for root resorption are
summarised.
Introduction
External apical root resorption is considered as
an undesirable sequela of orthodontic tooth
movement, resulting in the loss of cementum
and dentin commonly seen at the root apex. It
was first described by Bates in 1856 and was
co-related to orthodontics by Ottolengui in
1914. 1 The demographic, morphologic, and
treatment factors associated with EARR are
dental trauma (either before or during
treatment), developmental abnormalities in root
morphology, duration of treatment, and stage of
root development at the start of treatment. It
varies between patients and between different
teeth in the same person or there may be
severe resorption in a few teeth. The loss of root
substance has been referred to by many
names: Root absorption, External apical
resorption, External resorption and Root
resorption.
Classification of Orthodontically induced
root resorption
According to Brezniak and Wasserstein2
Cemental or Surface Resorption with Remodeling
• Only outer cemental layers are resorbed
• Later fully regenerated or remodeled.
• Process resembles trabecular bone remodeling.
Dentinal Resorption with Repair (Deep Resorption)
• Cementum and outer layers of dentin are resorbed.
• Usually repaired with cementum material.
• Final shape of the root may or may not be identical to original form.
Circumferential Apical Root Resorption
• Full resorption of hard tissue components of root apex.
• Root shortening is evident.
• Different degrees of apical root shortening.
* MDS, Senior Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics and DentofacialOrthopaedics, Christian Dental College, Ludhiana.
** MDS, Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, Private Practitioner, Amritsar.
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Vol. 14 No. 1
Jan-Apr 2018