Root resorption beneath the main hyalinized zone

A previous investigation on the initial phase of root resorption associated with orthodontic overcompression of local areas of the periodontal ligament (PDL), indicated that a differentiation should be made between two stages: (1) the very first resorption occurring in the periphery of the main necrotic zone; and (2) the root resorption occurring on that part of the root surface situated beneath the main bulk of necrotic tissue (Brudvik and Rygh, 1993a). The aim of the present investigation was to study the latter stage. Attention was focused on: (1) the possible association between the presence of necrotic tissue and root resorption; and (2) the cells that invaded and removed the necrotic tissue, as well as the cells that started to remove/resorb the cementum. Mesial movement of the upper first molars (rats) and lower first molars (mice) was performed by a fixed orthodontic appliance. The results indicate an association between the root resorption, and the presence and active removal of the hyalinized tissue. Root resorption beneath the main hyalinized zone occurred in areas where invading cells were observed close to the root surface. The majority of the cells involved in removal of the necrotic tissue and resorption of the root surface were multi-nucleated and TRAP-positive. It is hypothesized that multi-nucleated TRAP-positive cells when reaching the subjacent contaminated and damaged root surface after having removed necrotic PM tissue, continued to remove the cementum surface.