INFLAMMATORY CERVICAL ROOT RESORPTION FOLLOWING SEGMENTAL ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY - A CASE-REPORT

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF BILATERAL INFLAMMATORY external/internal root resor ption developed in the maxillae of a 28 year-old female approximately 4 years following routine segmental orthognathic surgery. The patient experienced dental pain in a tooth adjacent to a segmental osteotomy c ut 8 months postsurgery, however, the tooth later became asymptomatic. A definitive diagnosis of inflammatory cervical root resorption was n ot established until nearly 4 years later on routine dental examinatio n. The external/internal resorptive lesions were located 4 to 6 mm api cal to the connective tissue attachment on 3 of the 4 tooth roots adja cent to osteotomy cuts. Two of the affected teeth required non-surgica l root canal therapy due to pulpal communication with the resorptive d efects. The lesions were accessed by flap surgery, thoroughly debrided , and obturated with an intermediate restorative material until defini tive restorative therapy could be completed. All sites healed uneventf ully and the patient has been closely observed for approximately 2 yea rs without symptoms or recurrence of the resorptive lesions. Dental he alth care providers should be alert to the possible occurrence of infl ammatory root resorption in sites adjacent to osteotomy cuts over exte nded periods of time. Routine radiographic examination may be benefici al in the postoperative management of the segmental orthognathic surge ry patient.