Fig. 1

Pericanal Resorption Resistant Sheet (PRRS): this sheet or layer consists of organic material mainly predentin and odontoblasts (when the tooth is vital)

Fig. 2

A 28 years old female patient presented complaining of pink discoloration near the gingival margin of her maxillary right central incisor. She reported bleeding on brushing in this area without any complain of pain. Pulp sensibility testing using Endo-Ice revealed normal response similar to the adjacent and the contralateral teeth.

Upon radiographic evaluation, the cervical lesion appeared as small radiolucency superimposed on the pulp 

CBCT scan was requested and it revealed Deep invasion of the coronal dentin without any pulpal or radicular involvement. For confirmation, the axial view of the scan was navigated apically revealing absence of any signs of apical periodontitis, thereby confirming the sensibility assessment performed earlier (video)

According to these diagnostic data, a final diagnosis of Invasive cervical resorption without pulpal involvement. Therefore, the proposed treatment plan was to remove the undermined structure surrounding the lesion, Debridement of the defect to eliminate the granulomatous tissues and to restore the defect using a resin composite restoration.

Fig. 3

Isolation:The gingival margin was retracted using double retraction cords, so that the whole circumference of the resorptive defect was visible under high magnification. A combination of heavy rubber dam sheet and 212 brinker clamp was used to isolate the tooth. The heavy rubber sheet is beneficial to maintain the gingival margin in a retracted position via complete dam inversion 

Fig. 4

Gross excavation of the granulomatous tissues was performed using micro-excavators 

Fig. 5

The undermined structure surrounding the lesion was removed using ultrasonics in the presence of running coolant to avoid any potential harm to the pulp 

Fig. 6

Further debridement of the defect was continued using ultrasonics. Total defect debridement was confirmed under high magnification. Chemical debridement of the defect was performed using 90% aqueous solution of trichloro acetic acid (TCA) in order to eliminate any possibility of recurrence as a result of incomplete debridement 

Fig. 7

The resorptive defect was dealt with in a similar way as any cervical carious lesion. Surfaces were treated using a total etch approach. Bulk fill composite of a matching shade was selected to restore the resorptive defect 

Fig. 8

Post-operative radiograph showing restoration of the cervical resorptive defect

Fig. 9

Immediate post-operative image after removal of the rubber dam

Fig. 10

At the 3 months recall visit, the patient was functioning well without any signs of pulpal or periapical pathology. The gingival margin in contact with the restoration was found to be healthy without any changes in color or contour. Periodontal examination revealed no probing defects in relation to the restored defect 

Conclusions

  • The primary objective in management of external root resorption is to stop the invasion of dentin.
  • Effective and predictable management of invasive cervical resorption depends on precise lesion evaluation.
  • The treatment plan for external resorptive lesion depends on the lesion position in relation to the epithelial attachment (with or without endodontic treatment). A conservative approach can be used to restore resorptive defects above the epithelial attachment without the need for any surgical steps.

Bibliography

1.    Heithersay GS. Invasive cervical resorption. Endod Top. 2004;7(1):73-92. doi:10.1111/j.1601-1546.2004.00060.x

2. Patel K, Mannocci F, Patel S. The Assessment and Management of External Cervical Resorption with Periapical Radiographs and Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Clinical Study. J Endod. 2016;42(10):1435-1440. doi:10.1016/j.joen.2016.06.014

3. Patel S, Foschi F, Condon R, Pimentel T, Bhuva B. External cervical resorption: part 2 – management. Int Endod J. 2018;51(11):1224-1238. doi:10.1111/iej.12946