Determination of Apical Root Resorption during Active Orthodontic Treatment: ATwelve Months Radiographic Study of Maxillary and Mandibular Incisors

Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is an inevitable consequence of orthodontic tooth movement. The aim of this study was to measure the apical root resorption in maxillary and mandibular incisors during the initial twelve months of active orthodontic treatment and to evaluate whether root resorption increases with the progress of the treatment. The study sample consisted of 240 teeth of 30 patients within age of 13 to 25 years. Root resorption was determined using standardized intra oral periapical radiographs obtained using RVG sensor on a computer screen. All the periapical radiographs were obtained at the beginning of orthodontic treatment (T0) and 6 months (T1), 9 months (T2) and 12 months (T3) after the beginning of the treatment using a paralleling device. Radiographs were analyzed using Autocad 2015 version software for measurement of total tooth length at each specified time interval. The amount of resorption was positively correlated with duration of active orthodontic treatment. The degree of root resorption at all time intervals was statistically significant (P<.05). Root resorption of maxillary and mandibular incisors can be detected in the early stages of orthodontic treatment and appears to be related to treatment duration.