title: Early radiographic diagnosis of apical root resorption during orthodontic treatment: a study of maxillary incisors.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of digital radiographs for detection of (i) simulated root resorption cavities in an experimental model and (ii) orthodontically-induced apical root resorption in vivo. The severity of root resorption after 3 and 6 months treatment was studied in relation to root form. The experimental study cavities, drilled in mandibular roots in a dry skull, were recorded in conventional and digital radiographs. In vivo root resorption was evaluated on digital radiographs of 92 maxillary incisors after 3 and 6 months treatment with fixed appliances. The results showed a similar sensitivity for the two methods. Sensitivity increased significantly with cavity size. After 3 months apical root resorption was detected in only a few teeth. The number had increased significantly after 6 months. There was a higher degree of root resorption in teeth with blunt and pipette-shaped apices. In such teeth a 3-month radiographic control is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Eastmaninstitutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levander
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bajka
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Malmgren
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000503:physiopathology; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors