Join me for a summary of recent long-term research of resorbed teeth due to impacted canines. This podcast is based on an excellent lecture by Julia Naoumova delivered at last year’s British Orthodontic Conference. Part 2 with focus on the prognosis of resorbed teeth from impacted canines, and follows on from part 1 with explored outcomes of open Vs closed exposures of impacted canines – see here for part 1.  

Root resorption of incisors reported at 19-67% Erikson 2000 Walker 2005, Mitsea 2022

Anna Dahlén and Julia Naoumova 2024 retrospective CBCT study n =27 incisors

Mean   Follow-up average 9 years (5.5-14.6)

Patient reported outcomes

• Survival 100%

• Horizontal grade 3 moderate resorption n=17  (resorption inner dentine not involve pulp moderate)

• Horizontal grade 4 severe resorption n=12 (pulp exposed severe)

• Vertical grade 3+ severe resorption n=7 (resorption 2mm-1/3rd moderate)o

• Vertical grade 4 extreme resorption n = 1  (resorption 1/3rd +)

• No significant difference in any grade of resorption long term of the following:

• Symptoms 

• Mobility and ankylosis

• Discolouration

• Increase gingival pocketing but not clinically significant 

• RR horizontal changes with time 

• No change 81%

• Worse 4%

• Improve 15%

• RR vertical changes  with time

• No change 43%

• Worsen 57%

• Expected as had orthodontic treatment as well

Previous research 

• 1-23 years Survival 93-100% Falahat 2008 , Bjerklin 2011, Becker 2005, Jönsson 2007

• Jönsson 2007 showed grade 1 mobility when root length < 10mm 

Conclusion:

Extraction of asymptomatic based purely on root resorption should be routinely performed

Paper by Anna Dahlén and Julia Naoumova 2024 

Longitudinal study of root resorption on incisors caused by impacted maxillary canines—a clinical and cone beam CT assessment 

https://doi.org/10.1093/ejo/cjae052