External Root Resorption Management of an Avulsed and Reimplanted Central Incisor: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Avulsion and reimplantation of permanent teeth represent a major challenge in terms of treatment and long-term prognosis. The present study reported clinical management of external root resorption of an avulsed and reimplanted maxillary central incisor. Case report: A 9-year-old boy reported an uncomplicated crown fracture and avulsion of tooth 11 and complicated crown fracture of tooth 21 due to trauma. Reimplantation of element 11 was obtained within 30 min post-trauma and 3 days after both elements were diagnosed with necrotic pulp. In addition, tooth 11 showed early external root resorption. Both elements underwent endodontic treatment and root closure with apical plug using calcium-silicate-based cement. At 6-month follow-up root resorption appeared to be arrested. Twenty-four months after trauma the clinical results were stable, although signs and symptoms of ankylosis were observed. Conclusions: An immediate endodontic approach and use of calcium-silicate-based cement seemed to contrast the progression of root resorption of an avulsed and reimplanted central incisor after 24 months of follow-up.

1. Introduction

Trauma involving the dento-alveolar region represents a major emergency in dentistry, with a frequent occurrence in children and young adults. Among others, one of the most serious issues is avulsion of permanent teeth, which constitutes 0.5–16% of all dental injures [1].

Replantation of avulsed teeth represents nowadays the treatment of choice; however, some factors should be taken into account that might interfere with the prognosis and long-term survival of the dental element, such as maturity of the root (open or closed apex), condition of periodontal ligament (PDL) and extra-oral storage [1,2]. The condition of PDL cells is mainly related to the extra-oral time and medium storage; indeed, International Association of Dental Traumatology Guidelines [1] highlighted that, after 30 min of extra-oral dry condition, loss or damage of PDL cells should be evaluated before reimplantation. In addition, the maturity of the root determinates the treatment plan, since in case of immature permanent tooth the healing potential of the root may be applied in terms of revascularization after replantation, and endodontic treatment should be delayed [3]. On the other hand, reimplanted dental elements with closed apex should be endodontically treated within 2–3 weeks after trauma, considering a potential contamination of the necrotic pulp after avulsion [1].

One of the main drawbacks of reimplantation after avulsion is represented by external root resorption [4], which can be further divided into surface, inflammatory, or replacement (ankylosis) root resorption [5]. The latter demonstrated an incidence of 51% [5] and it is strictly related to the extra-oral dry time and the extent of PDL damage, mostly causing tooth fusion to alveolar bone [6]. Early diagnosis is the most critical factor to help rapid decision on the best treatment approach to be initiated and to mitigate the consequences of the continuing progress of root resorption [7,8]. Indeed, treating and arresting root resorption represents a major challenging in endodontic procedures and plays a pivotal role in the long-term survival of reimplanted dental elements. Use of calcium-silicate-based cements in the therapy of external root resorption was suggested to improve the treatment outcomes [7,9]. Bioactive materials induce a high pH which would impair the osteoclastic action resulting in the arrest of resorptive process [10] and increasing the success over time.

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to report a case of external root resorption of an avulsed and reimplanted maxillary central incisor, and to describe its clinical management.

2. Case Report

The present case report was reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Case reports in Endodontics (PRICE) guidelines [11] (

Table A1. PRICE 2020 checklist of the present case report.

Section/Topic	Item Number	Checklist Item	Reported on Page Number
Title	1a	The words “case report(s)” must be included in the title	1
	1b	The area of interest (e.g., anatomy, disease, treatment) must be included briefly in the title	1
Keywords	2a	At least two relevant keywords, preferably MeSH terms, related to the content of the case report must be included	1
Abstract	3a	The Introduction must contain information on how the report is novel and contributes to the literature, clinical practice and/or fills a gap(s) in knowledge	1
	3b	The Body must describe the main clinical findings, including symptoms and signs, if present	1
	3c	The Body must describe the main radiographic/histological/ laboratory/diagnostic findings	1
	3d	The Body must describe the main outcomes of treatment, if active treatment has been provided	1
	3e	The Conclusion(s) must contain the main “take-away” lesson(s), sometimes referred to as key learning point(s)	1
Introduction	4a	A background summary of the case(s) with relevant information must be provided	1–2
Informed consent	5a	A clear statement that informed, valid consent was obtained from the patient(s) must be provided	4
Case report information	6a	The age of the patient(s) must be provided	4
	6b	The gender of the patient(s) must be provided	4
	6c	The ethnicity of the patient(s) must be provided, if relevant	N/A
	6d	The main concern, chief complaint or symptoms of the patient(s), if any, must be provided	N/A
	6e	The medical history of the patient(s) must be provided, if relevant	4
	6f	The dental history of the patient(s) must be provided, if relevant	N/A
	6g	The family history of the patient if associated with the primary complaint must be provided, if relevant	N/A
	6h	The psychosocial history of the patient if associated with the primary complaint must be provided, if relevant	N/A
	6i	Genetic information, including details of relevant comorbidities and past interventions and their outcomes must be provided when possible, if relevant	N/A
	6j	Extra-oral findings must be provided, if relevant	4
	6k	restorations, periodontal condition, soft tissues, etc.	4
	6l	Important/relevant dates and times (in the text, or a table or figure) must be provided in chronological order	4–7
	6m	The diagnostic methods and the results for the specific tooth/teeth (e.g., pulp sensibility test, tenderness, mobility, periodontal probing depths, laboratory investigations, imaging techniques, or other special tests) must be provided	4
	6n	The diagnostic challenges, if any, must be provided	N/A
	6o	The diagnostic reasoning including other possible diagnoses that were considered must be provided	N/A
	6p	The active treatment (s) or intervention(s) performed, if any, must be provided	4–7
	6q	Any modifications to the proposed treatment(s) or intervention(s), if necessary, must be provided	N/A
	6r	The assessment method(s) used to determine the clinician-assessed and patient-assessed treatment outcomes and their results must be provided	6–7
	6s	Adverse and unanticipated events or consequences, if any, must be provided	7
Discussion	7a	The specific treatment(s) and intervention(s) (if any) must be discussed with reference to the relevant literature	8
	7b	The strengths of the case report and its importance must be discussed with reference to the relevant literature	8
	7c	The limitations of the case report must be discussed	8–9
	7d	The rationale for the conclusion(s) must be discussed	8
Patient perspective	8a	Feedback from the patient on the treatment and the care they received should be provided, if relevant	N/A
Conclusion	9a	Explicit conclusion(s), i.e., the main “take-away” lessons must be provided	9
	9b	Implications for clinical practice or future research must be provided	9
Funding details	10a	Sources of funding and other support (such as supply of instruments, equipment) as well as the role of funders must be acknowledged and described	9
Conflict of interest	11a	An explicit statement on conflicts of interest must be provided	9
Quality of images	12a	Details of the equipment, software and settings used to acquire the image(s) must be described in the text or legend	N/A
	12b	The reason why the image(s) was acquired and the rationale for its inclusion in the manuscript must be provided in the text	N/A
	12c	The circumstances (conditions) under which the image(s) were viewed and evaluated by the authors must be provided in the text	N/A
	12d	The resolution and any magnification of the image(s) or any modifications/enhancements (e.g., adjustments for brightness, color balance, or magnification, image smoothing, staining, etc.) that were carried out must be described in the text or legend	N/A
	12e	Patient(s) identifiers (names, patient numbers) must be removed to ensure they are anonymized	N/A
	12f	An interpretation of the findings (meaning and implications) from the image (s) must be provided in the text	4–8
	12g	The legend associated with each image must describe clearly what the subject is and what specific feature(s) it illustrates. Legends associated with images of patients must describe the age, gender and ethnicity of the person, if relevant	4–8
	12h	Markers/labels must be used to identify the key information in the image(s) and be defined in the legend or as a footnote	N/A

N/A: not applicable.

).

A 9-year-old boy was referred to the Unit of Pediatric Dentistry, Policlinico Umberto I—Sapienza University of Rome reporting a traumatic accident in school 3 days before, which caused uncomplicated crown fracture and avulsion of tooth 11 and complicated crown fracture of tooth 21. Tooth 11 was reimplanted in a private practice 30 min post- trauma and then stabilized using orthodontic brackets and a passive flexible splint. The medical history was not relevant.

Clinical examination revealed lesions of extra- and intra-oral soft tissues. Pulp sensibility tests were negative to cold, percussion, and palpation for both elements; periapical radiograph showed a slight area of radiolucency involving the external root walls of tooth 11, consistent with an early external root resorption. Moreover, periapical radiolucency involving tooth 21 was noticed (Figure 1). A diagnosis of necrotic pulp was made for both elements. Treatment procedures were explained to patient’s parent and a signed informed consent was obtained.

A week after, both elements underwent root canal treatment. After administration of local anesthesia (epinephrine-free mepivacaine) at pericoronal gum, dental elements were isolated by rubber dam and pulp chambers were opened using high-speed round bur under abundant irrigation. Working length was determined by means of wide manual endodontic file (#80) (Figure 2). Each tooth was irrigated with 5 mL of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) using a 5 mL plastic syringe supporting a 30-G irrigation needle (Ultradent Products Inc., South Jordan, UT, USA), then saline solution was flushed and removed by aspiration. Finally, irrigation with 5 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was performed. Tooth 21 underwent also manual shaping of the root canal. After drying with paper points, an intracanal dressing material made of calcium hydroxide (Stomidros—Stomygen, COSWELL SPA, Funo, Italy) was placed. Then, temporary polymer reinforced zinc oxide–eugenol (IRM, Dentsply International Inc., Charlotte, NC, USA) restorations were placed.

Three weeks after the first appointment, periapical radiographs were obtained (Figure 3) and both elements underwent rubber dam isolation, reopening and endodontic disinfection as described before with 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA.

After drying with paper points, apical plugs were obtained by the placement of calcium-silicate-based cement (ProRoot MTA, Dentsply-Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) (Figure 4). Moistened paper points were placed over the cement and teeth were temporally re-stored by polymer reinforced zinc oxide–eugenol cement (IRM).

One week after, both elements were isolated by rubber dam and re-opened. Paper points were removed and, once cement hardening was clinically confirmed by a dental probe, root canals were backfilled with gutta-percha (Figure 5) and dental elements temporally restored.

The following week (6 weeks post-trauma), splinting was removed and absence of tooth mobility was clinically observed. Then, crowns of both dental elements were definitively restored by direct composite resin esthetic reconstructions (Figure 6).

At 6-month follow-up, a periapical radiograph reveled stability of the applied materials and absence of periapical lesions of teeth 11 and 21; moreover, external root resorption involving tooth 11 appeared to be arrested (Figure 7).

At the last follow-up visit 24 months post-trauma, absence of tooth mobility as well as signs and symptoms of inflammation were clinically observed. However, infraocclusion of tooth 11 was observed. The radiographical evaluation revealed a slight area of radiolucency and absence of periodontal ligament of tooth 11 (Figure 8). These findings, in addition to infraocclusion and absence of mobility, might suggest a diagnosis of anchylosis.

3. Discussion

Traumatic dental injures involve more than one billion people worldwide and represent a major issue from a medical as well as economical point of view [12]. Thus, the correct management of dental trauma would not only reestablish the subjects’ health but also decrease the long-term side effects and improve the prognosis.

Reimplantation of avulsed permanent teeth is considered the treatment of choice mainly in young patients, whose development of the maxillofacial region is not completed. However, root resorption is a well-established consequence of tooth reimplantation [5] and should be correctly treated to guarantee a better prognosis over time [1]. Mazur et al. [13] reported a high heterogeneity in root resorption pattern of reimplanted central incisors due to several factors, probably related to extra-oral dry time and storage, and concluded that the poor prognosis often occurred when teeth are replanted not in accordance with current guidelines for the management of dental avulsion [1]. In the present case report, to contrast the progression of external root resorption, reimplanted tooth underwent root canal treatment just 1 week after the occurrence of trauma. This prompt approach taken into account that the rate of root resorption is related to age and was demonstrated to be significantly higher in subjects of 8–16 years old at the time of avulsion [14]. Moreover, the apical plug was obtained using a bioactive calcium-silicate-based cement that promotes the deposition of a mineralized tissue that would contrast the progression of resorption process [15]. Bioactive cements, among others MTA, demonstrated better performances than calcium hydroxide when applied to treat external root resorption of reimplanted teeth [16]. Accordingly, in the present case, although the radiographical evaluation 24 months post-trauma revealed a slight area of radiolucency involving the root of tooth 11, the resorption rate seemed to be less than that of the early stages. However, signs and symptoms of ankylosis related root resorption were appreciated.

Risk of ankylosis is a well-documented complication after tooth avulsion and reimplantation [17] and it is strictly associated to extra-oral dry time and reimplantation management. Ankylosis might be highly avoided in case of reimplanted immature teeth with dry time longer than 60 min [18]. However, once ankylosis is present, decoronation may be necessary according to the evidence of esthetically unacceptable infra-occlusion that cannot be corrected by restorative treatment [1,19]. It should also be stressed that immature permanent teeth demonstrated lower risk of ankylosis [17] and reimplementation is considered the treatment of choice. In addition, even though exposed to a major risk of ankylosis, mature permanent teeth should be also reimplanted in young patients, considering the not completed development of the maxillofacial area.

Although in the present case report the avulsed and reimplanted immature permanent tooth underwent apexification, revitalization of necrotic open apex teeth might be considered a valid alternative treatment to the apical plug with MTA [2]. Regeneration procedures have been recently proposed also in mature permanent teeth [20], but they should be further confirmed in case of avulsion and reimplantation. In addition, a regenerative endodontic approach has been very recently suggested as a treatment strategy to arrest progressive development of root resorption of young permanent teeth, with the aim to promote new periodontal ligament attachment to ankylosed teeth [4]. These preliminary results should be supported by further evidence to make endodontic regeneration a reliable alternative in the management of traumatized teeth, improving the prognosis over time and decreasing the occurrence of side effects and need of early surgical intervention.

4. Conclusions

Within the limitation of the present case report, an immediate endodontic approach and use of calcium-silicate-based cement would reduce the progression of root resorption of an avulsed and reimplanted central incisor after 24 months of follow-up.