Search

Material and Method: With the purpose of investigating the occurrence, localization and extension of possible root resorptions after fixed appliance treatment with a continuous torque force, 28 upper first premolars orthodontically indicated for extraction from 14 patients were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Tooth movement was carried out with continuous moments of different magnitudes (300 cNmm, and 600 cNmm), using a biomechanical model with superelastic wires (stainless steel-NiTi-SE), which was specially designed and individually calibrated. The teeth were divided into one control group with four premolars (non-moved) from two patients, and two experimental groups (300 cNmm and 600 cNmm respectively) with six patients each. Each group was distributed intra-individually as follows: the right first premolar of six patients was extracted after 1 week of movement, the left first premolars were removed after 2, 3 and 4 weeks. After extraction, teeth were fixed, treated with 2% sodium hypochlorite solution for 6 hours in order to remove the organic tissue components, dehydrated, and metal-coated in a Balzers SCD 050 apparatus., Results: The analysis in a scanning electron microscope (Jeol 6100, at 10-15 kV) revealed many resorption lacunae in the root surface, mainly on the lingual side in the apical third of the roots. Resorption processes were also observed on the buccal root surface in the cervical third. All experimental teeth showed resorption areas. Teeth which had been moved for a longer time period and with a higher magnitude of applied moments showed a higher degree of root resorption in width as well as in depth. Higher magnitude of moments produced exposure of root dentine, evidencing pronounced root resorption.

A scanning electron microscopy study of possible root resorptions and their localization after application of continuous forces of different magnitudes was conducted. Twelve upper first premolars, indicated for extraction, were previously intruded with constant forces. The teeth were divided into 3 groups: 1. non-moved control teeth, 2. continuous force application of 50 cN for 4 weeks, 3. continuous force application of 100 cN for 4 weeks. Specially designed NiTi-SE-stainless steel springs were utilized to exert the actual forces. After experimental tooth movement, the extracted teeth were dehydrated, metal-coated and examined by scanning electron microscopy. The intruded teeth showed resorptive areas consisting of lacunae (concavities) in the mineralized root surface. The teeth moved with 50 cN showed in the apical third several, in the medial third few, and in the cervical third no resorptive areas. In the case of the teeth moved with 100 cN, we observed resorptive areas in most of the apical third--including the apex contour-, several in the medial third, and none in the cervical third. In the control group no resorptions were observed. Thus, our results suggest that intrusion of human teeth with continuous forces induces root resorption, depending on the magnitude of force applied.