Oana Potarnichie, Sorina Solomon, Silvia Teslaru, Liliana Pasarin, Silvia Martu
Introduction Our study aims to identify: the incidence of external root resorption (ERR) in current practice, the etiologic factors that could leading to ERR, the possible associations with other local and general factors, and also criteria indices upon that, teeth recovery with ERR is possible. Material and methods The study was performed in a lot with 264 patients, 153 women and 111 men, which were presented in 2010 at dental office in Iaşi. Excluded patients from our study were them aged less than 15 years, who had received treatments for temporary or permanent teeth with incomplete root formed. Also, we selected all patients who required achieving at least one intraoral radiograph for complementary teeth diagnosis Results In our entire study group, mostly aged between 40-60 years, ERR percentage level was in males at 13% of cases and at 16% in women. The most affected teeth by ERR were molars (59%) and premolars (29%) and the most common etiological factors were by endodontic way (81%). In 10% of cases ERR involved more than one tooth or it was combined with internal root resorption (IRR). The study group was limited to adult patients requiring dental radiographs as complementary diagnosis, so relatively insignificant cases were excluded when they were presented for other motivations, such as prophylactics, or with mild pathology. The incidence was highest in patients older than 40 years, especially at molar levels. For a large number of cases, there was evidenced in the same patient both: more than one ERR, or ERR combined with RRI. Conclusions External root resorption (ERR) is not a very rare entity in general dental practice, due to his complex aetiology: inflammation, occlusal trauma, impacted teeth, and iatrogenic causes. External root resorption management requires differentiated approach, tailored to diversity etiological factors.