Radiographic observations on root resorption in the primary dentition.

In order to construct standardized charts for root resorption in the primary dentition of Japanese children, we investigated the stages of resorption (1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of the root) based on the criterion of Fanning, et al. using 11,167 panoramic radiographs (5,759 of boys and 5,408 of girls). The following information was obtained. 1) The root resorption for a tooth on one side was the same as for its counterpart on the other side regardless of differences in sex or arch. 2) The average age for each root resorption stage was lower in girls than in boys regardless of differences in sex or arch. 3) The average age for each root resorption stage was lower in the mandible than in the maxilla for every tooth. 4) In the maxilla, the period between 1/4 to 3/4 resorption of the root was greater in the primary molars than in the primary anterior teeth. However, the opposite was true in the mandible. 5) Although no difference was observed between the maxilla and the mandible in the resorption period for the primary incisors and canines, the resorption time for the primary molars was greater in the maxilla than in the mandible. 6) When the relationship was observed between the resorption stages for each tooth and the calcification stages for the corresponding successional permanent tooth. a) With the exception of the maxillary and mandibular canines, the average age for 1/4 resorption of the primary root corresponded to the period between completion of the permanent crown and initial root formation of the successional permanent tooth. b) With the exception of the maxillary and mandibular canines, and the mandibular second premolars, the average age for 3/4 resorption of the primary root corresponded to the period between 1/4 and 1/2 formation of the root of the successional permanent tooth. From these results, standardized charts were constructed for the resorption of the roots of primary teeth in Japanese children. These standardized charts are useful in daily clinical practice in such areas as endodontic treatment of primary teeth and orthodontics.