Correlation between occlusal contact and root resorption in teeth with periodontal disease

The present study was designed to investigate the influence of occlusal forces on radicular resorption in teeth with periodontal disease. The occlusal forces are a cause in the aggravation of the periodontal disease and therefore influences in the increase the extension and the depth of the radicular resorption.

We quantified radicular resorption, its extension across the radicular surface and its depth, in 88 teeth with periodontal disease with and without occlusal contact, pertaining to patients between 43 and 91 years of age. A histological method was used to obtain 6-μm-thick sections. The sections were observed under an Olympus BX40 optical microscope and processed by an image analysis program. Measurements of length and area were used to calculate the percentages of surface and volume of cement reabsorbed.

In both groups presenting periodontal pathology (groups 2 and 3) the percentages of the surface and volume of reabsorbed cement were greater in those teeth with antagonist contact. The greatest percentages of radicular resorption were observed in teeth of group 3 showing antagonism.

The severity of periodontal disease increases the extension and the depth of the radicular resorption, and the presence of antagonist forces aggravates the resorption.