Diagnosis and management of root resorption by erupting canines using cone-beam computed tomography and fixed palatal appliance: a case report

Resorption of the root of the maxillary incisors during ectopic eruption of the maxillary canines is not an uncommon phenomenon, and must be considered in all patients with seriously diverging eruption of the maxillary canines. The root of the lateral incisor is the most commonly affected by resorption, although the central incisors can be affected [1‐3]. Incisor resorption has been reported to occur more frequently in women, with the female to male ratio being reported as 2:1 [3], 4:1 [1] and 10:1 [4]. However, no sex differences have been found in the severity or location of root resorption [1].

Root resorption of the maxillary incisors is often difficult to identify on intra-oral radiographs, mainly due to the overlapping of the incisors by the ectopic canine. Cone-beam computed tomography (CT) is superior to conventional X-ray methods for the assessment of incisor root resorption associated with ectopically positioned maxillary canines, as it eliminates the blurring problem of conventional tomography and increases the perceptibility of root resorption substantially [5]. It was found that 50% more resorptions are detected with CT compared with conventional radiographic methods [6, 7].

Early detection and assessment of the extent of resorption is, therefore, of fundamental importance if preventive and early corrective measures are to be taken in order to reduce later complications and to prevent the resorption from getting worse.

Interventional orthodontic treatment consists of a brief period of orthodontic therapy or the removal of teeth (deciduous and/or permanent), with the attempt to eliminate tooth impaction. In this case report we describe the use of a fixed palatal appliance with a torquing spring to move the root of lateral incisors away from the erupting canines.

In this case report, a fixed palatal appliance was used to prevent and eliminate root resorption of the upper lateral incisors caused by the erupting canines. Resorption of adjacent teeth during the eruption of maxillary canines is rare in children. However, if it happens it can require comprehensive orthodontic treatment including extractions. Early detection and assessment of the extent of resorption is very important for treatment modality, and may decrease the extent of later complications [8].

In our patient, the main objective was to prevent and minimize root resorption of the lateral incisors due to the erupting maxillary canines. The interceptive treatment objective was achieved by applying a palatal torque to the root of the lateral incisors away from the canines and by extraction of the primary first molars, which provided more room for the canines to erupt in a more distal direction away from the roots of the lateral incisors.

Because of the excellent tissue contrast and precise three-dimensional images achievable, the use of CT scans for localization of the impactions and for evaluation of resorption is advocated by many authors. In our patient's case, a CT scan provided us with an accurate evaluation of the position of the erupting canines in relation to the roots of the lateral incisors, and as we found resorption had already started in the upper left lateral incisor and could start any time in the upper right lateral incisor, we decided to intervene immediately to save both teeth. However, the radiation dose of a CT scan is approximately 10 times to that of an orthopantomogram [9]. Therefore, once we ascertained that the tip of the canine had passed away from the apex of the lateral incisor using conventional radiography, the chance of root resorption of the lateral incisor was small and another cone-beam CT scan to reconfirm the situation was not justified.

One may question why extraction of the primary canines was not selected to provide the increased space needed for the eruption of the permanent canines in this case. Our explanation is that the plan was to allow the upper canines to erupt distal to the root apices of the lateral incisors. The primary canines were intentionally not extracted so that the lateral incisors would not drift distally, which would in turn have prevented the canines from erupting distally.

The reverse overjet was not corrected at this stage for two reasons. The first reason is our patient has a significantly increased mandibular length, therefore the chances of relapse to reverse overjet would be great. The second reason is the root of right central incisor is in contact with the crown of the unerupted left central incisor, as shown in the cone-beam CT. To move the right central incisor may have increased the risk of root resorption. For the upper left central incisor, a later radiograph showed the appearance of odontome-like structures that were not apparent in the original cone-beam CT. The odontomes were subsequently removed surgically and a bracket was bonded onto the upper left central incisor for orthodontic extrusion.

Evaluation of our patient after treatment showed an acceptable outcome. This case illustrates the importance of monitoring canine eruption and taking immediate action if necessary. Further monitoring on the erupting teeth will be carried out.

Close monitoring of erupting canines is very important and appropriate intervention is critical to avoid or minimize root resorption. Early intervention can spare the patient time, expense, more complex treatment and injury to otherwise healthy teeth.

Written informed consent was obtained from the parent of the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.