Aetiological, Histopathological, Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutical Features of Idiopathic Cervical Resorption

Root resorption is the loss of hard dental tissue as a result of odontoclastic action involving vital and pulpless teeth. Cervical root resorption (CRR) is a type of external resorption which usually occurs immediately below the epithelial attachment of the tooth in the cervical region. The idiopathic cervical resorption (ICR) refers to a clinical situation in which all other causes, whether local or systemic, have been ruled out as the origin of the disease. The early stage is asymptomatic and might be diagnosed by a routine radiograph or a clinical examination. In this study, the aetiological, histological, clinical and radiological analysis is undertaken; a review is made concerning the pathologies to which the differential diagnosis should be applied; and the different therapeutical options are discussed. This lesion sometimes demands the management of a broad field of multidisciplinary techniques such as restorative dentistry, endodontics, surgery, implants and prosthesis. Clinical relevance: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) may be a useful tool to determine the true extent of external cervical resorption lesions.