Comparison of Apical Root Resorption in Root Filled Teeth vs Vital Teeth in Adult Orthodontic Patients

Objectives: . The aim of this study was to compare the mean EARR between vital and root filled teeth in adults orthodontic subjects.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on the pretreatment and post-treatment orthopantomograms of 30 subjects. The sample consisted of 60 teeth of which 30 were root filled and 30 were contralateral vital teeth. The pretreatment and post-treatment root lengths were measured by dropping a perpendicular to the root apex according to the Linge and Linge method using Rogan Delft View Pro-X software. Mann-Whitney U Test was used for the comparison of EARR between gender, treatment type and vital vs root filled teeth. Spearman Correlation Coefficients were used to determine the correlation of EARR with the age of patient, the treatment duration and pretreatment root length. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The EARR was significantly greater in vital teeth as compared to root filled teeth. Similarly, EARR was greater in extraction cases as compared to non-extraction cases and in males as compared to females. A weak positive correlation was found between the root resorption and the age of the patient and pretreatment root length. Similarly, a weak negative correlation was found between root resorption and treatment duration. However, none of these correlations were statististically significant (p = > 0.05).


Conclusions: The EARR was significantly greater in vital teeth as compared to root filled teeth. Similarly, EARR was greater in extraction cases as compared to non-extraction cases and in males as compared to females. A weak positive correlation was found between the root resorption and the age of the patient and pretreatment root length. Similarly, a weak negative correlation was found between root resorption and treatment duration. However, none of these correlations were statististically significant (p = > 0.05).