Distribution and depth of resorption lacunae in periodontally involved teeth with various root canal conditions

Abstract

We examined the distribution and depth of resorption lacunae in periodontally involved human teeth with various root canal conditions (vital teeth, obturated teeth, discolored obturated teeth, teeth with infected root canals, and discolored teeth with infected root canals). There was no significant difference between the groups (P < 0.05) in the distribution of resorption lacunae. The depth of resorptin lacunae ranged from 15.2 ± 4.07 μm for vital teeth to 61.42 ± 11.2 μm for discolored teeth with infected root canals. The depth was less than 50 μm in other groups with the exception of discolored teeth with infected root canals. These results suggest that removal of approximately 50 μm of superficial cementum by curettage of 20 strokes could expose healthy cementum without leaving resorption lacunae in most periodontally involved teeth.