Long-term evaluation of apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment using periapical radiography and cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of Apical Root Resorption (ARR) after orthodontic treatment at 52-288 months using periapical radiography (PR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: Radiographic images obtained from 58 patients, before (T 1 ) and after orthodontic treatment (T 2 ), and following 52-288 months of treatment were analyzed by three members of the Brazilian Board of Orthodontics. Apical structures were evaluated by PR im- ages (T 2 and T 3 ), using Levander and Malmgren scores. The presence of ARR on CBCT images were detected only at T 3 . The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for statistical analyses, and the level of significance was set at 5%. Kappa statistics determined interobserver agreement. Results: The more frequent ARR were with scores 1 in T 2 (51.6%) and T 3 (53.1%), when evaluated by PR (p > 0.05). When compared the frequencies of ARR in T 3 among PR and CBCT images, the differences were significant for maxillary and mandibular pre-molar groups, and for mandibular molar group (p > 0.05). The teeth with highest frequency of ARR presence using CBCT images were maxillary lateral inci- sors (94.5%) and mandibular central incisors (87.7%), while the premolars showed the lowest frequency. The CBCT images showed that the teeth involved in orthodontic treatment with extraction present higher ARR frequency (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PR showed more frequency of ARR in posterior teeth groups when compared with CBCT im- ages. ARR did not change in long-term post treatment.