Reevaluation of submerged vital roots.
A total of eight vital roots were submerged and retained under complete dentures in two patients. Within two to three years, each patient experienced problems of pain, re-exposure, and inflammation, resulting in the removal of the roots. Histologic evaluation showed evidence of chronic inflammation of the pulpal tissue. Because of alveolar resorption and perhaps super-eruption of the submerged roots, the likelihood of exposure and abscess is a distinct disadvantage to the procedure. Therefore, some doubt remains as to the long-term success with this technique.
D000328:Adult; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000502:physiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing