Operative dentistry aje qualtrough, jd satterthwaite la morrow, pa brunton

Cervical root resorption
This appears to follow injury to the cervical attachment apparatus 
of the tooth. It is most often an inflammatory type of resorption and 
if local necrosis of the periodontal ligament takes place ankylosis may
ensue. Cervical resorption is not a pulpal reaction, but is of import-
ance if it penetrates the root canal. It then becomes an endodontic
problem.
Endodontics – further considerations


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External inflammatory root resorption
This is a commonly occurring complication following trauma to 
the teeth. The condition can be recognised radiographically as a 
peri-radicular radiolucent area encompassing areas of the root and
adjacent alveolar bone. It is important that endodontic therapy is
instituted as soon as there are clinical or radiographic signs that
resorption is in progress as the resorptive process may destroy the
tooth in a few months. Treatment is similar to that for treatment of
non-vital teeth and the success is related to removal of the necrotic
pulp. There is clinical evidence that long-term treatment with calcium
hydroxide provides the most predictable results
5
.
Replacement resorption
Damage to the periodontal structure can result in surface resorption
when the root surface is seen to demonstrate the presence of super-
ficial lacunae with new cementum formation. It has been proposed
that this is a response to localised injury to the periodontal ligament.
This may be self-limiting and spontaneously repair. Extension of this
process may result in direct union between bone and root substance.
Clinically, dentoalveolar ankylosis will be recognised because of the
lack of tooth mobility. Radiographically, there will be an absence 
of periodontal space. Also, there may be a ‘moth eaten’ appearance of
the root. There is at present no treatment for this condition although
the speed with which the root is replaced by bone is relatively slow
and may take several years.