Evaluation of root resorption after orthodontic treatment: A clinical study of contributory factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contributory factors of external apical root resorption. Materials and Methods: Sixty subjects who had undergone complete orthodontic treatment were selected. The difference of the root length between pre and post-treatment was measured. The degree of root resorption was scored according to the index proposed by Levander and Malmgren. 1 The mean root resorption score (MRRS) was calculated. Mann Whitney test was done to compare the groups. Pearson correlation was applied. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in root resorption among males and females. Tooth extraction was correlated with MRRS. Except for upper posterior teeth, the duration of treatment was positively correlated with MRRS. For overjet, there was a positive correlation between upper and lower anterior teeth and MRRS. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment should be carefully performed in patients who need extraction, great retraction of maxillary incisors and prolonged therapy.

Performance of the Malmgren Index for Assessing Root Resorption on 2D vs. 3D Radiographs: A Pilot Study

“…If apical external root resorption is found in the first 6–12 months of orthodontic treatment, the risk for further root resorption is considered to be high [ 4 ]. After detection of EARR, the literature suggests either reducing the degree of orthodontic force, spacing appointments or pausing treatment, depending on the extent of the root resorption [ 4 ]. If root resorption is detected early in treatment, the treatment plan can be adapted accordingly [ 4 , 16 ].…”

“…After detection of EARR, the literature suggests either reducing the degree of orthodontic force, spacing appointments or pausing treatment, depending on the extent of the root resorption [ 4 ]. If root resorption is detected early in treatment, the treatment plan can be adapted accordingly [ 4 , 16 ]. Taking these guidelines into consideration, it could be diagnostically interesting to take a CBCT with a small field of view (FOV) and large voxel size on the maxillary incisors 6 to 9 months into orthodontic treatment to accurately detect root resorption on those teeth more prone to it, while minimizing the radiation dose.…”

“…Root resorption can be assessed by two different methods: directly measuring root length or sorting the degree of root resorption into different levels [ 4 ]. Since direct measurements on 2D images can lead to bias due to distortion or magnification, methods categorizing root resorption in degrees or stages are more often found in the literature [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Since panoramic radiographs are commonly used in orthodontics, this index is easy to apply in daily practice. It sets a threshold considered clinically relevant and does not depend on standardization of initial radiographs, contrary to linear measurement techniques [ 4 ]. In 2017, Alamadi et al published a modification of the Malmgren index that not only takes horizontal root resorption into account, but also addresses slanted root resorption [ 5 ].…”