Apical root resorption in patients wearing orthodontic appliances

The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of orthodontically induced root resorption during the tooth alignment and leveling phase, and to assess the impact of the variables age, sex and degree and direction of incisor displacement. We studied a consulting population at the dentofacial orthopaedics unit of the Dental Consultation and Treatment Centre (DCTC), Casablanca. Our sample was composed of 30 exposed cases and 30 non-exposed cases, followed up for a period of 8 months. A survey document was drawn up for data collection, and retro-alveolar radiographic imaging was used to evaluate resorption. Our results showed that the patients receiving orthodontic treatment all developed minor root resorptions during the alignment and levelling phase in the incisor group. We found that the central incisors underwent greater resorption than the lateral incisors.