Root Resorption: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic and therapeutic steps.

Extraoral examination

  • Inspection (viewing)
    • Fistulae
    • Swellings
    • Parafunctions (lip/cheek sucking or pressing, etc.)
  • Palpation (palpation)
    • Bony facial skull [after trauma step formation or abnormal mobility].
    • Temporomandibular joints [trauma]
    • Lymph nodes
    • Nerves, nerve exit points [innervation disorder after trauma].

Intraoral examination

  • Dental findings (general dental findings).
    • Status of tooth eruption [impacted tooth germ as cause of resorption].
    • Restorations
    • Caries diagnostics
    • Teeth in need of treatment
    • Tooth structure defects
    • Tooth fractures (collapse of a tooth, incomplete fracture).
    • Sensitivity testing – especially on teeth with suspected periodontal or endodontal problems [positive for internal resorption].
    • Intraoperative (“during a surgical procedure”) findings.
    • Anomalies
      • Root shape
      • Root length
    • “pink spot” (reddish discoloration of tooth crown; endodont/”tooth interior” showing through) [invasive cervical resorption].
    • Infraocclusion [ankylosis/union of teeth with jawbone]
    • Extrusion (“elongation of the teeth”) [resorption due to infection]
  • Periodontal findings
    • Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
    • Periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium / parodont).
    • Resorptive tissue [invasive cervical resorption]
    • Tooth mobility [reduced in ankylosis, increased in infection-related resorption]
    • Percussion dolence (sensitivity of teeth to tapping) [infection-related resorption].
    • Percussion sound (tapping sound) [bright in ankylosis, dull in infection-related resorption]
    • Fistula [infection-related resorption]
  • Functional findings
    • Occlusal trauma (damage to the periodontium (tooth-supporting apparatus) due to overloading/misloading of a tooth with a normal periodontium).
    • Abrasion and attrition (loss of tooth structure caused by friction).
    • Wedge-shaped defects
    • Dental obstructions during jaw closure
    • Lip tone
    • Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.