title: Transient apical breakdown and its relationship with orthodontic forces: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transient apical breakdown (TAB) caused by orthodontic treatment is a reversible resorptive process in which the apex of a tooth shows some radiographic evidence of resorption and the crown may display some discoloration. It usually requires no treatment other than monitoring and elimination of the orthodontic forces applied to the tooth.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report describes the case of a 48-year-old man patient who was referred to the department of endodontics for evaluation of some discoloration of his upper right central incisor, which was undergoing orthodontic treatment. The tooth was nonresponsive to sensitivity tests, it was sensitive to percussion, and, radiographically, there was some evidence of root resorption and apical radiolucency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Because TAB was the suspected cause of the signs and symptoms, no treatment was performed on the tooth except for periodic recalls, and lightening and eventual removal of the orthodontic appliances was indicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ten weeks after the initial appointment and removal of the applied orthodontic forces, color improvement was observed, accompanied by a return of tooth sensitivity to cold tests.
authors: Endodontic Postgraduate Program, Universidad Autónoma of Queretaro, Querétaro de Arteaga, Mexico.
authors: Oscar Lozano
authors: OL
authors: González
authors: University of Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, Mexico; Private Practice, Puebla, Mexico.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Vera
authors: Endodontic Postgraduate Program, Universidad Autónoma of Queretaro, Querétaro de Arteaga, Mexico.
authors: Marco Salas
authors: MS
authors: Orozco
authors: Endodontic Postgraduate Program, Universidad Autónoma of Queretaro, Querétaro de Arteaga, Mexico.
authors: Jaime Trigueros
authors: JT
authors: Mancera
authors: Endodontic Postgraduate Program, Universidad Autónoma of Queretaro, Querétaro de Arteaga, Mexico.
authors: Karla Vidal
authors: KV
authors: González
authors: Endodontic Postgraduate Program, Universidad Autónoma of Queretaro, Querétaro de Arteaga, Mexico. Electronic address: oscarlozanogonzalez@gmail.com.
authors: Genaro Vega
authors: GV
authors: Malagón
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016910:Orthodontic Brackets / Q000009:adverse effects; D009969:Orthodontic Wires / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000473:pathology; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation
keywords: Orthodontic forces; spontaneous periapical lesion; transient apical breakdown