Traumatic Dental Injuries as a Potential Predisposing Factor for Invasive Cervical Resorption: A Systematic Review

Invasive cervical resorption is a clinically challenging and often silent form of external root resorption that may remain undetected until substantial structural damage has occurred. Although traumatic dental injuries are repeatedly cited as potential predisposing factors, the strength, consistency, and clinical meaning of this association have not been critically established. This systematic review synthesized the available clinical evidence on the relationship between traumatic dental injuries and invasive cervical resorption, with emphasis on trauma history, diagnostic methods, associated predisposing factors, and risk of bias. The review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022314393) and conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO were searched up to June 2026. Clinical observational studies evaluating patients or teeth diagnosed with invasive cervical resorption and reporting traumatic dental injury as a potential predisposing factor were included. Eight studies published between 1999 and 2025 were included. Traumatic dental injuries were consistently reported among potential predisposing factors, with frequencies ranging from 8.5% to 33.33%. However, trauma was frequently reported in combination with orthodontic treatment, intracoronal bleaching, periodontal therapy, parafunctional habits, or restorative procedures, and only one study included a matched control group. The evidence suggests that traumatic dental injuries are biologically plausible and clinically relevant contributing factors for invasive cervical resorption, but current data are predominantly retrospective, heterogeneous, and insufficient to establish causality. Long-term monitoring of traumatized teeth and future prospective studies using standardized diagnostic criteria are essential to clarify this association. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022314393.