A case of bone-replaced root resorption preventing orthodontic tooth movement

Abstract

A 6-year and 7months old boy was referred to our clinic for treatment of a maxillary supernumerary tooth fonnd on a routine X-ray photo taken by a neighborhood dentist. The supernumerary tooth was extracted. After 2.5 years, he visited us again for the delayed eruption of his maxillary central and lateral incisors. The updated X-ray photos revealed severe root resorption on the lateral incisor caused by the permanent canine. Traction was attempted only on the central incisor. Despite our efforts to tractate the central incisor using appliances such as lingual arch and mulchibracket, no movement was found. Because traction was not successful even with two subluxation attempts, the central incisor was finally extracted. The extracted tooth had a defect on the distolingual cervical root area and histological examination showed severe deposition of bone into the defected lesion.