Diagnosis, Screening and Treatment of Root Resorption in Orthodontic Practices in Greece and Sweden

Abstract

To evaluate the perception of Greek and Swedish orthodontic practitioners regarding the possible occurrence and prognosis of root resorption occurring during orthodontic treatment and to estimate practitioners' approaches to the diagnosis of preexisting root resorption, screening of prevalence, and treatment planning approach when moderate or severe root resorption is present. Questionnaires were received from randomly selected Greek (n = 90) and Swedish (n = 106) practitioners. Topics of the questions included (a) the presence of history; (b) the radiographic evaluation of root resorption before, during, and after treatment; (c) the treatment approach of initial prevention and protocols in cases of radiographic diagnosis of root resorption during treatment. Of the respondents, 47.1% of the Swedish practitioners and 32.3% of the Greek practitioners use periapical and panoramic radiographs to diagnose root resorption, mostly in the anterior region. Both groups recognize trauma, root form, and oral habits as predisposing factors. The majority of Swedish orthodontists perform radiographic follow-up in the first 6 months. In contrast, the Greek orthodontists perform it at 1 year or at the end of treatment. The treatment approach for root resorption that is most frequently used by Swedish orthodontists is altering the treatment plan, using light forces, and allowing resting periods, while the Greek orthodontists most frequently use lighter forces and reduce the total duration of the treatment. Because there is no specific approach offered in the literature, the prevention and treatment reassessment in cases of root resorption relies on individual practitioner perception.