A cross-sectional study of the factors predicting root resorption in the teeth adjacent to an impacted maxillary canine

Aim: The permanent maxillary canine is the most frequently impacted tooth after third molars. An accurate diagnosis of the position of an impacted canine and the potential root resorption in the adjacent teeth may influence orthosurgery treatment options. The main objective of this study was to develop a model for predicting root resorption in the teeth adjacent to an impacted maxillary canine. Materials & Method An evaluation was made of 57 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images depicting 67 impacted canines. We assessed the factors pertinent to the impacted maxillary canine that contribute to root resorption in the adjacent teeth by CBCT images and panoramic images reconstructed by CBCT. Results: Of the 14 teeth with enlarged follicle, 13 exhibited root resorption; therefore a significant correlation was found (p≤0.05). However, there was no statistically significant relationship between other variables and root resorption (p>0.05). Regression analysis revealed that follicle size is a key factor in predicting root resorption in a new case. Conclusion: The results revealed that impacted canines with enlarged follicle are more likely to cause root resorption in the adjacent teeth.