Results:
- Etiology:
- Damage to protective cementum layer below epithelial attachment exposes root surface to osteoclasts, causing resorption
- Orthodontic treatment (excessive forces), Trauma, Intracoronal bleaching, Surgery, Periodontal therapy, Other factors – bruxism, restorations, developmental defects
- Pulp tissue plays no role in external cervical resorption etiology
- Diagnosis
- Pink spot in cervical region. Base of external cervical resorption defect feels hard (not sticky like caries). Probing causes profuse bleeding Radiographically – presents as an asymmetrical radiolucency with ragged or irregular margins in the cervical region of the tooth
- Histology
- Similar to external inflammatory resorption; Consists of granulomatous tissue
- Predentin and innermost layer of dentin prevent the external cervical resorption lesion from involving the pulp
- Treatment
- These include intentional replantation, guided tissue regeneration, treating the external cervical resorption lesion by an internal approach only, and forced orthodontic eruption.
- Essentially, treatment involves complete removal of the resorptive tissue and restoring the resulting defect with a plastic tooth-colored restoration.
Clinical Significance:
Early recognition of external cervical resorption is important to improve prognosis. Treatment requires complete removal of the resorptive tissue and proper restoration.