Inflammatory cervical root resorption following segmental orthognathic surgery. A case report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Endodontics

Background:

• Segmental orthognathic surgery involves bone cuts, potentially impacting adjacent tooth roots.
• Inflammatory root resorption is a pathological process that can affect teeth.

Observation:

• A 28-year-old female developed bilateral inflammatory external/internal root resorption in the maxilla 4 years post-orthognathic surgery.
• Resorptive lesions were found on tooth roots adjacent to osteotomy sites, with some requiring root canal therapy.
• Symptoms, including dental pain, appeared 8 months post-surgery but resolved before definitive diagnosis.

Findings:

• Definitive diagnosis of inflammatory cervical root resorption was delayed until 4 years post-surgery.
• Lesions were located 4-6 mm apical to the connective tissue attachment.
• Two teeth needed non-surgical root canal therapy due to pulpal involvement.

Implications:

• Dental professionals must consider inflammatory root resorption as a potential long-term complication of orthognathic surgery.
• Routine radiographic examinations are recommended for postoperative monitoring of patients undergoing segmental orthognathic surgery.
• Early detection and management are key to successful treatment outcomes.