Apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment -- a retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Radiology
• Periodontology

Background:

• Apical root resorption is a common side effect of orthodontic treatment.
• Identifying risk factors and preventive measures is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare apical root resorption incidence and severity across different orthodontic appliances.
• To evaluate the impact of treatment duration on root resorption.
• To analyze root resorption patterns in various tooth groups.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of panoramic radiographs from 601 patients (aged 8-16).
• Evaluation of root resorption in all tooth groups except third molars.
• Multinomial logistic regression to correlate resorption with treatment modality and duration.

Main Results:

• Maxillary incisors and mandibular incisors showed the highest incidence of apical root resorption.
• Fixed appliance treatment significantly correlated with increased root resorption (P < 0.001).
• Treatment duration significantly contributed to the degree of root resorption (P < 0.01), with severe cases averaging 2.3 years versus 1.5 years for no resorption.

Conclusions:

• Prolonged fixed orthodontic appliance treatment elevates the risk of severe apical root resorption.
• Maxillary incisors and premolars are most susceptible to severe resorption.
• A 6-month radiographic follow-up is advised for patients undergoing extended orthodontic treatment.