Pre-eruptive intra-coronal resorption of dentine: a review of aetiology, diagnosis, and management

To discuss prevalence, characteristics, aetiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pre-eruptive intra-coronal radiolucency/resorption (PEIR) defects, and to highlight the clinical significance of PEIR.

A literature research from Pubmed Medline database was adopted to identify the relevant published articles related to PEIR using keyword search strategy; other papers were obtained through searching the reference lists. Significant findings were summarised and presented in this review.

Subject prevalence was (0.2–27.3%) and tooth prevalence was (0.2–3.5%); depending on factors such as type of radiograph used for assessment, demographic factors, age range included, and dentition stage. Currently, the most acceptable etiologic theory for PEIR is intra-coronal resorption by invasion of resorptive cells into forming dentine via an interruption of crown formation; most likely to be caused by local factors such as ectopic position of affected tooth or adjacent tooth next to it. Diagnosis of PEIR lesions occurs, as they are noted incidentally on routine dental radiographs of unerupted teeth. A management protocol for PEIR defects has been suggested based on the literature. The clinical significance of these lesions is that they could constitute a large proportion of occult caries, and can be associated with developmental defects, ectopic positioning and supernumerary teeth, and a delay in dental development.

Early diagnosis of PEIR defects by careful viewing of radiographs of unerupted teeth is important as part of clinical examinations to allow early treatment.