restorative
case presentation
by Richard Trushkowsky, DDS
and Natalia Rabago, DDS
Root resorption is the loss of hard dental material consisting of cementum and dentin. It
entails two stages: injury and stimulation. Injury is associated with non-mineralized tissues
covering the outside surface of the root (precementum) or it can involve the interior of the
canal. The injury may be a result of mechanical injury as a result of dental trauma, surgical
procedures or pressure from an impacted tooth. It also may be initiated by chemical irritation
such as bleaching with 30% hydrogen peroxide.
The root resorption is a sequel to odontoclastic activity. The denuded mineralized tissue is
invaded by multinucleated cells that start the resorption progression. The resorptive cells require
additional stimulation or the process terminates spontaneously. Cementum-like material may mend
the injured surface if the area isn't too large. Extensive areas may result in invasion of bone cells that
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown November 2014