Dental root resorption: a review of the literature and a proposed new classification.

OBJECTIVE

This article reviews the dental literature pertaining to dental root resorption and proposes a classification system designed to facilitate communication of precise information for each type.

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature using PubMed was performed and supplemented with manual reviews of bibliographies from textbooks.

RESULTS

A classification system was developed using etiology and morphologic characteristics of dental root resorption. Various types of dental root resorption were identified. The different forms were organized into dental and non-dental origins and further divided between internal and external resorption along etiologic and morphologic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The classification of dental root resorption proposed may assist dentists in the formulation of a differential diagnosis and management of root resorption.