Scanning electron microscopic study of apical and intracanal resorption

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Oral Pathology
• Dental Microscopy

Background:

• Apical periodontitis involves inflammatory processes affecting the tooth apex.
• Granulomas and cysts are common inflammatory periapical lesions.
• Understanding root surface changes is crucial for endodontic treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the patterns of apical radicular and intracanal resorption in extracted teeth with apical granulomas versus cysts.
• To elucidate the morphological differences in hard tissue destruction caused by these distinct periapical pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Extracted human teeth with apical lesions were analyzed.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine apical radicular and intracanal surfaces.
• Resorption areas were characterized based on location and association with granulomas or cysts.

Main Results:

• Apical resorption was centered on the main foramina in teeth with granulomas.
• Hard tissue underlying cysts exhibited minimal to no significant resorption.
• Intracanal resorption was consistently observed in the apical third, with scattered occurrences in middle and cervical thirds.
• Resorption significantly disrupted normal tooth anatomical structures.

Conclusions:

• The type of apical lesion (granuloma vs. cyst) influences the pattern and extent of radicular and intracanal resorption.
• SEM analysis provides detailed insights into the destructive effects of periapical inflammation on dental hard tissues.
• These findings highlight the varied impact of endodontic pathologies on tooth structure.