Predisposing factors for external apical root resorption associated with orthodontic treatment

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify possible risk factors for external apical root resorption (EARR) in the maxillary incisors after orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The root length of 2,173 maxillary incisors was measured on periapical radiographs of 564 patients who received orthodontic treatment. The Kappa test was performed to evaluate intraexaminer and interexaminer reproducibility. Multiple binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between EARR and various factors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS: The risk of developing EARR was 70% higher in orthodontic treatment with maxillary premolar extraction (p = 0.004), 58% higher in patients with increased overjet (p = 0.012), 41% lower in two-phase orthodontic treatment (p = 0.037), and 33% lower in patients with deep bite (p = 0.039). The lateral incisors were 54% more likely to develop EARR (p < 0.001), dilacerated roots were 2.26 times more likely to develop EARR (p < 0.001), and for each additional millimeter of root length, the risk of EARR increased by 29% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The potential risk factors for EARR after orthodontic treatment included treatment with maxillary premolar extraction, increased overjet at the beginning of treatment, and dilacerated roots.