The repair of orthodontic root resorption: an ultrastructural study

It has previously been shown by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), that after force is terminated, repair of the orthodontic root resorption lacunae occur by deposition of new cementum. The ultrastructural details of the process are not well established. Since it has been hypothesized that a new barrier to protect the root surface is formed during the reparative phase, new information on this aspect of orthodontic root resorption may be valuable. The aim of the present investigation was, by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), to study in more detail the repair of orthodontic root resorption lacunae and the re-establishment of the adjacent periodontal membrane (PM). Three experimental tooth movement groups of rats (age 40-45 days) were used. The maxillary first molar was moved mesially by a closed coil spring for 10, 14, and 21 days. The results indicate that transition of active root resorption into a process of repair which occurs even in the presence of a light force, is associated with invasion of fibroblast-like cells from the circumference into the active root resorption site. After 10 days, formation of new tooth supporting structures was seen in the periphery of the resorption lacunae, while active resorption by multinucleated odontoclast-like cells (OD) took place in the central parts. In the later phases, after termination of force, the repair process is similar to the early cementogenesis occurring during tooth development. New mineralized cementum was observed on the resorbed root surface by 21 days. After deposition of the new cementum, the structures of a new periodontal ligament (PDL) were comparable with the control specimens.