Evaluation of Apical Root Resorption during Alignment Phase of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: External apical root resorption (EARR) is a permanent shortening of the root apex, often detected through radiographic imaging, characterized by the loss of the protective outer layer.To evaluate the apical root resorption during alignment phase of fixed orthodontic treatment Method: Prospective Study was conducted in the Department of Orthodontic, Nishtar Institute of Dentistry, and Multan from 6th October 2020 to 5th April 2021. The study included a 110 patients aged between 18 and 25 years. The evaluation of External Apical Root Resorption (EARR) was conducted prior to and following the therapy. In order to carry out this assessment, a group of 110 patients underwent periapical radiographs utilizing the paralleling approach. The radiographs were taken at the beginning of the treatment and then again at the conclusion of a three-month research period. Afterwards, the length from the incisal edge to the apex of all incisors was carefully measured using a vernier caliper. The difference in root length, measured in millimeters, between the pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1) stages was measured and expressed as a percentage of the initial root length.