Apical Root’s Resorption Management: Observational Prospective

Objectives: Chronic periodontitis’ infection may lead to root resorption at the apical third, creating a challenge in choosing the apical seat for root canal filling. Sealing the root up to the radiographic length is the most recommended treatment option.
Different studies reported that periapical lesions could not be detected radiographically if they have not resulted in more than 12.5% total bone loss in the area. Based on this hypothesis, we assumed that: If root resorption is noted radio-graphically, this does not mean that the root structure does not exist.
Methods: Four chronic periodontitis cases on posterior teeth were treated. Working length was measured by using paper points and canals were filled beyond the radiographic length by using: Step back technique, Sodium hypochlorite 5.25 for irrigation, Zinc oxide eugenol as a sealer and standard Gutta-percha.
Results: The cases were followed up for 24 months with 6 months interval and the periapical-rays shown that the assumed “resorbed” root had regained the full length. Result reading was based on the x-ray interpretation and absence of clinical symptoms
Conclusions: More case series and studies required to test if the tooth root structure could re-mineralize in a similar manner reported in alveolar bone healing.