Root Resorption

Tooth resorption is a perplexing problem for all dental practitioners. The etiologic factors are vague, diagnoses are educated guesses, and often the chosen treatment does not prevent the rapid disappearance of the calcified dental tissues. Although the occurrence of resorption cannot always be predicted, resorption can be identified radiographically. However, even this diagnostic tool has limitations, especially with respect to resorption on the buccal and lingual surfaces. The diagnostic dilemma is further complicated by the need to differentiate between internal from external resorption. The consequences of root resorption range from slight tooth mobility due to small amounts of root loss to complete tooth loss from excessive amounts of resorption. Radiographically, the resorption may appear as either an apical root blunting, lateral root resorption or in rare cases excessive root loss.