Extent and prognosis of apical root resorption due to orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Background Root resorption is the most common side effect of orthodontic treatment and usually occurs within the first 6 months of treatment. Circumferential apical root resorption represents full resorption of the apical hard tissue components and evident root shortening. Although rarely serious it is a devastating event when recognized radiographically. The purpose of this article is to provide the dental practitioner with the results of studies on the extent of apical root resorption detected with clinical radiographs in patients treated with fixed appliances during or after orthodontic treatment and to provide the answers to the following questions: which teeth are most affected by apical root resorption, what happens to the resorbed tooth and what does the prognosis look like? The results could provide the best available evidence for clinical decisions to minimize the risk and severity of apical root resorption.