Histopathological Observation of Three Types of Root Resorption Surface in Maxillary Primary Incisors

Abstract

Local and general factors have been attributed to root resorption occurred by injuries such as trauma and dental caries that affect periodontal ligament or dental pulp tissue. Pathologic root resorption is different from physiologic root resorption in terms of resorption pattern such as micromorphology of resorption fossae and types of observed cells. Microscopic morphologies and histologic features of physiologic and pathologic root resorption surface of maxillary primary central incisors resulting from trauma and periapical inflammation were observed by scanning electron microscope and light microscope. The morphology of physiologic resorption lacunae was small and oval or circular shape with regularities. The morphology of pathologic resorption lacunae was large and polygonal shape with irregularities compared with the physiologic resorption lacunae. Multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cells were closely attached to the physiologic and pathologic resorption lacunae, whereas several kinds of mesenchymal cells with numerous inflammatory cells were found in the areas adjacent to the pathologic resorption surface. Compensating cementum formation took place along some of the areas of physiologic and pathologic resorption area resulting from trauma, but could not be observed on pathologic resorption area resulting from periapical inflammation.