Prevalence of External Apical Root Resorption Associated with Orthodontic Treatment in a Sudanese Sample

Abstract

Background: External apical root resorption (EARR) is an iatrogenic sequence of orthodontic treatment. The prevalence of EARR is dissimilar among racial groups. There is an increase in orthodontic treatment demand among the Sudanese population with no information about the prevalence of EARR. Design: This is a clinical, retrospective study. Setting: The study was done among patients attending the orthodontic clinic at the University of Khartoum, Faculty of Dentistry as well as one private clinic in Khartoum. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of EARR in a Sudanese sample as well as factors related to root resorption before (T1) and after (T2) orthodontic treatment. Methods: Fifty one patients (41 females and 10 males), mean age 21.6±6.9 years, who have been treated using pre-adjusted edgewise appliances for at least one year. The prevalence of EARR, and the relationship between EARR at T1 and T2 with regard to sex, age, extraction and treatment duration was investigated. vi Results: The overall prevalence of EARR at T2 was 14% of that, mild EARR was 43%, whereas moderate and severe EARR were 10% and 2% respectively. No statistically significant relationship was found between EARR and sex, age or treatment duration at P> 0.05. A statistically significant correlation was found between EARR and extraction of at least two permanent teeth at T2 (P<0.04). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of EARR in the studied sample; only the extraction pattern seems to correlate with EARR in this sample of Sudanese patients.