CBCT evaluation of apical root resorption in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth in orthodontic patients

Abstract

Introduction: One of the drawbacks of getting braces is root resorption. CBCT's high spatial resolution makes it a useful tool for gauging the extent to which external root resorption has occurred. Aim: Patients with bimaxillary protrusion receiving fixed orthodontic therapy will have CBCT scans taken of their upper and lower anterior teeth to check the degree of apical root re-sorption. Materials and Methods: This article focuses on retrospective data of 15 patients with dento-alveolar protrusion treated with all initial premolar extraction and fixed orthodontic mechanotherapy. Each patient had pretreatment & post-retraction CBCT scans of upper and lower anteriors which were compared to measure changes in root length, root volume and root apex displacement. Results: Mean root length of maxillary and mandibular anteriors showed significant difference from pre-treatment to post-retraction. The root volume of maxillary anteriors and mandibular anteriors except for the root volume of mandibular lateral incisor showed statistically significantly decrease at post-retraction. Angular mean root apex displacement of canine and mandibular & maxillary central incisor, also lateral incisor showed significant differences from pre-treatment to post-retraction. Conclusion: Roots of teeth can be altered with orthodontic therapy. After retraction, there was a decrease in root length in root volume, although these alterations were within a clinically feasible range.