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Review
. 2018 Nov 21;3(3):134-145.
doi: 10.14744/eej.2018.33043. eCollection 2018.

Root Resorption Classifications: A Narrative Review and a Clinical Aid Proposal for Routine Assessment

Henrique Aidos  1 , Patrícia Diogo  1 , João Miguel Santos  1
Affiliations
Review

Root Resorption Classifications: A Narrative Review and a Clinical Aid Proposal for Routine Assessment

Henrique Aidos et al. Eur Endod J. .

Abstract

Root resorption (RR) refers to noninfectious damage related to the loss of hard and soft dental tissue that results from clastic cell activity. It is observed as a pathologic process that is predominantly asymptomatic in the permanent dentition and physiological during the shedding of primary teeth. Roots are protected by unmineralized organic cementoid and predentine. RR occurs because of the inability of the clastic cells to adhere to unmineralized surfaces. Since the first RR classification was described by Andreasen in the 1970s, several classifications have been proposed with diverse terminology. A narrative literature review was undertaken on the current classification, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of RR. A bibliographic search resulted in 434 titles and abstracts, and from those, 17 articles were obtained that alluded to 15 RR classifications. A total of 28 articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. Results showed that Andreasen's classification is the most widely used for classifying RR. In terms of epidemiologic data, studies are scarce, although RR pathophysiology is well described in the literature. Overall clinical guidelines are summarized in a new RR classification diagram. The choice of RR treatment application should be in line with the RR type and the dentist's experience. However, an earlier and correct diagnosis will significantly improve final outcomes and long-term prognosis, especially with the current evolution of advanced imaging techniques, such as cone-beam computed tomography and bioceramic-based endodontic sealers.

Keywords: RR diagnosis; RR pathophysiology and RR treatment; Root resorption classification; root resorption clinical aid proposal.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures Conflict of interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study selection flowchart incorporated in the present narrative review
Figure 2
Figure 2
A new RR classification diagram based on clinical features and aetiological evaluations
Figure 3
Figure 3
Clinical aid proposal for root resorption assessment
Figure 4
Figure 4
Representative scheme of RANK/RANKL/OPG system in the activation and inactivation of odontoclasts adapted from Tyrovola et al. in 2008
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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