Root resorption of upper permanent incisor caused by impacted canine. An analysis of 23 cases.

Unusual root resorption of 12 central and 11 lateral upper permanent incisors in 11 patients is described. The degree of resorption ranged from loss of the apical 1/4 to almost complete loss of root structure. Excepting 1 case, permanent canines were partially or completely impacted and their crowns were in close apposition to the resorbed surfaces of the incisors. The roots of the canines were either in the process of formation or completely formed. The findings suggest that the pressure from the canine which persists in moving downward despite the lack of space to permit normal eruption could cause root resorption of adjacent incisors even in the absence of systemic factors. Of 14 extracted incisors, 10 were replaced orthodontically by the impacted canines, whereas the spaces of the extracted incisors were restored by prosthetic means in the 4 other cases. 6 incisors were preserved without any treatment and 2 with the aid of a sapphire dento-osseous anchor pin. Since the resorbed incisors were mostly free of pain, early detection by radiographic examination is essential to establish a proper diagnosis.