Pre-eruptive intracoronal radiolucencies in permanent dentition of children in Tamil Nadu-A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-eruptive intracoronal radiolucency (PEIR) poses a challenge to paediatric dentists as it cannot be clinically detected. AIM: To estimate the prevalence and coexisting factors of PEIR in permanent teeth of children and adolescents in western Tamil Nadu, India. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study assessed 5012 digital panoramic radiographs of children and adolescents below 14 years of age obtained from private digital imaging centers, dental clinics, and dental colleges located in five districts of western Tamil Nadu. The prevalence and PEIR and its coexisting factors were assessed by two independent calibrated investigators. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The subject prevalence and tooth prevalence of PEIR were estimated to be 3.2% and 0.4%, respectively. Maxillary canines and mandibular premolars were commonly involved. Majority of the lesions were limited to less than one-third of dentin thickness (74%) and distal aspect of the crown (45.1%). Ectopic positioning (9.3%) and dental caries in the preceding primary tooth (9.9%) were the most common coexisting factors. CONCLUSION: Pre-Eruptive Intracoronal Radiolucency defects were commonly seen in maxillary canines, mandibular premolars, and distal aspect of the crown involving less than one-third dentin thickness. Ectopic positioning and caries in primary teeth were commonly seen along with the PEIR defects.

Multiple Calcifying Hyperplastic Dental Follicles: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Enlarged follicles associated with multiple unerupted teeth always comprise an area of considerable interest for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The condition of multiple calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles is extremely rare and is characterized by multiple unerupted teeth with abundant calcifications and odontogenic epithelial rests in the enlarged dental follicles. We report an interesting case of multiple calcifying hyperplastic dental follicles in a 16-year-old healthy male patient.

Formation and development of maxillary first molars with delayed eruption.

Cases of congenitally missing and delayed eruption of the maxillary first molar are rare. However, in recent years, we have experienced cases of suspected delayed eruption of or congenitally missing first molars. The purpose of this study was to analyze the formation of delayed erupted maxillary first molars (M1) (>2 standard deviations), which play important roles in occlusion, and normal eruption of the maxillary first molars (U6). The frequency of M1 among patients born between 1974 and 1994 in one institution with a clear total patient number and personal oral histories was 1.55 % [80 % bilateral eruption in 8 of 806 male patients (0.99 %) and 23 of 1195 female patients (1.92 %)]. To evaluate the formation and eruption of M1 according to Moorrees's tooth formation stages, panoramic X-ray films were obtained every year for 73 patients with M1 from 3 institutions (20 male and 53 female patients, total 131 M1s) without systematic histories or genetic disorders. The development/growth curve of M1 was fitted to both the logistic curve and U6 curve. The M1 development/growth curve was started behind with U6 curve; however, the straight part of the M1 curve exhibited steep inclination compared with the straight part of the U6 curve. The curve of the eruption pathway of M1 also exhibited a sigmoid S shape. These results indicate that the development and migration speed of M1 are faster than that of U6, excluding the delayed start point. These results may help orthodontists in treatment planning for patients with M1.

Quality of Life related to Eruption Hematoma in a Twenty Months Old Infant.

AIM: This paper describes a case of an eruption hematoma in a 20-month-old boy and the impact of this hematoma on the quality of life (QoL) related to oral health of this infant and his family. BACKGROUND: Eruption hematoma is a soft benign cyst that contains blood and overlie a tooth that are about to erupt. Oral health conditions can affect the QoL and bring psychological impacts. CASE REPORT: The proposed treatment was based on oral hygiene instruction, normal diet and massage on the lesion area. A weekly follow-up visits up to the spontaneous regression at the 6 weeks of the lesion was conducted. The impact on QoL was assessed though the Brazilian version of the early childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) questionnaire before and after 2 months of the hematoma regression. CONCLUSION: The presence of eruption hematoma impacted, physically and emotionally, the QoL related to oral health of the child and his family, and this impact decreased when the eruption hematoma disappeared. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is important the knowledge of the dentists about eruption cyst/hematoma to make the correct decisions to improve the QoL of their patients and families.

Obtaining artificially caries-affected dentin for in vitro studies.

AIM: This study evaluated and improved a protocol for obtaining standard caries-affected dentin (CAD) by Streptococcus mutans biofilm demineralization process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight human molars were divided in six experimental groups, according to: period of cariogenic challenge (7, 14 or 21 days) and type of dentin (erupted or unerupted teeth). After complete cariogenic challenge sound and CAD dentin were evaluated by: visual inspection (VI), digital radiography (DR), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and laser fluorescence (LF). RESULTS: Visual inspection confirmed the formation of CAD based on tissue yellowing and loss of surface gloss. Digital radiography detected the presence of radiolucent images, suggesting caries. Three calibrated examiners viewed all images obtained by VI and DR and were able to distinguish healthy from CAD. Fisher's exact statistical test (p < 0.05) confirmed no difference between groups by VI (G1/G4: p = 0.6; G2/G5: p = 1; G3/G6: p = 1) or DR (G1/G4: p = 1; G2/G5: p = 1; G3/G6: p = 1). Both LF values and demineralization depth, as determined by OCT, were subjected to ANOVA (p < 0.05). For LF, a statistically significant difference was observed for the type of substrate (p = 0.001). For OCT, no statistically significant differences in the type of substrate (p = 0.163), length of cariogenic challenge (p = 0.512) or interaction between factors (p = 0.148) were observed. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed the presence of CAD; a more uniform demineralization surface was observed in the dentin of unerupted teeth. CONCLUSION: This protocol suggests that standard CAD can be obtained in 7 days of cariogenic challenge using unerupted teeth. Clinical significance: With the new perspective on the clinical treatment of caries lesions, bonding is increasingly performed to demineralize CAD, which is susceptible to remineralization. A useful protocol to standardize the production of CAD, by microbiological cariogenic challenge, would be an important contribution to laboratorial test in the field of operative dentistry.

Pre-Eruptive Intracoronal Resorption (PEIR): A Case Report.

Pre-Eruptive Intracoronal Resorption (PEIR) is a rare yet significant phenomenon in which an abnormal, well-circumscribed, radiolucent area develops in the tooth prior to eruption. This case report outlines the treatment of a 12 year old Hispanic female who was referred for endodontic evaluation of tooth #31 and subsequently diagnosed with PEIR. The patient's chief complaint was recorded as "spontaneous pain" in the lower right quadrant of her jaw. Clinical examination revealed a partially erupted tooth #31 with no visible decay. Radiographic examination, including a cone beam computed tomography scan, led to the detection of a radiolucent area surrounding the pulp chamber on the mesial aspect of tooth #31. Radiographically, the enamel appeared intact with no signs of perforation. Based on the clinical and radiographic evaluation, tooth #31 was determined to have PEIR, with the pulpal and periapical diagnosis of "Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis" and "Normal Apical Tissue," respectively. The Orthodontic consultation obtained for this patient recommended that tooth #31 be maintained at least until tooth #32 appeared in the oral cavity and could be used as a replacement. Therefore, a treatment plan involving vital pulp therapy and gingivectomy was selected. During the procedure, granulation tissue was excavated and sent for histological evaluation, which concluded the presence of "granulation tissue with acute and chronic inflammation". No caries were detected. Following the procedure, the tooth was found to be asymptomatic with continued root development. A positive response to Electric Pulp Test was achieved after 3.5 years of follow up.

Is podoplanin expression associated with the proliferative activity of ameloblastomas?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between podoplanin expression and proliferative activity of ameloblastomas and remnants of the odontogenic epithelium from dental follicles (DF) of unerupted teeth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three paraffin-embedded ameloblastomas and thirty-two DF obtained of unerupted teeth were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using anti-human podoplanin and anti-Ki-67 antibodies. Podoplanin expression in odontogenic epithelial cells was evaluated using a scoring method, and the Ki-67 labeling index was determined by the percentage of positive odontogenic cells. RESULTS: All ameloblastomas displayed podoplanin expression in ameloblast-like cells of the epithelial islands. Membranous expression of podoplanin in ameloblastomas was stronger than in the remnants of odontogenic epithelium (P = 0.001). Statistically significant difference was observed between the cytoplasmic and membranous expression of podoplanin in the remnants of odontogenic epithelium (P = 0.001). The index of epithelial odontogenic proliferative activity, verified by Ki-67 expression, was higher in ameloblastomas vs remnants of odontogenic epithelium (P < 0.001). No statistically significant correlation was identified between podoplanin and the cellular odontogenic proliferative activity in meloblastomas and DF (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that there is no connection between podoplanin immunostaining and odontogenic cellular proliferative activity and suggest a role for membranous podoplanin expression in the local invasion of ameloblastomas.

Mandibular second molar eruption difficulties related to the maintenance of arch perimeter in the mixed dentition.

INTRODUCTION: In this prospective longitudinal study, we compared the prevalence of mandibular second molar eruption difficulties in patients treated with appliances to maintain mandibular arch perimeter. Other independent variables (age, molar angulation, space-width ratio, treatment time, and sex) were tested for their value as predictors of eruption difficulty. METHODS: Three hundred one patients and subjects were divided into 4 groups: patients treated with a Schwarz appliance, patients treated with a mandibular lingual holding arch, patients treated with a combination of both appliances, and subjects who received no treatment (controls). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the possible predictors of eruption difficulty. Panoramic radiographs were analyzed at 2 times--before and after treatment. The radiograph before treatment was evaluated for the angulation of the mandibular second molars and space available for these unerupted teeth. The radiograph after treatment was used to determine the incidence of mandibular second molar eruption difficulty. RESULTS: All 3 treatment groups had higher incidences of mandibular second molar eruption difficulty when compared with the controls; the increased prevalence was significant for the protocols incorporating the Schwarz appliance. Initial molar angulation, space-width ratio, age, and sex of the patient were not significant predictors of disturbances in the eruption pattern of the mandibular second molars. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic appliances intended to maintain mandibular arch perimeter in the mixed dentition increase the probability of eruption disturbances of the mandibular second molars. Clinicians should monitor these patients carefully to prevent impaction of the second molars.

A rare case of unerupted second deciduous molar located inferior to the second premolar: case report.

AIM: Tooth eruption is defined as the movement of a tooth from its site of development within the alveolar process to its functional position in the oral cavity [Massler et al., 1941]. The process of tooth eruption can be divided into different phases: pre-eruptive bone stage, alveolar bone stage, mucosal stage, preocclusal stage, occlusal stage and maturation stage [Andreasen et al., 1997]. Any disturbance in these phases can lead to eruptive anomalies. The incidence of unerupted teeth is usually higher among permanent teeth than among deciduous ones [Walker et al., 2004; Otsuka et al., 2001; Amir et al., 1982; Broadway, 1976; Pinborg et al., 1970]. Of the primary teeth reported as unerupted, second primary molars are the teeth most frequently involved [Walker et al., 2004; Otsuka et al., 2001; Bianchi et al., 1991; Ranta et al., 1988; Tsukamoto et al., 1986; Amir et al., 1982], followed by primary central incisors [Otsuka et al., 2001]. CASE REPORT: This paper presents a case of inversion of the intraosseous position of a second unerupted deciduous molar and the succedaneous second premolar.

The earliest known reported occurrence of dentigerous cyst in a six-month-old child.

The earliest reported case of the occurrence of a dentigerous cyst is described; the cyst surrounded an unerupted permanent tooth bud in a 6-month-old infant. Most commonly these lesions present between the second and third decades of life. They rarely occur before 10 years of age and have not been documented prior to 1 year of age. In the case reported here, the treatment instituted was extraction of the adjacent deciduous tooth and enucleation of the cyst along with the permanent molar tooth bud. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for this lesion to occur across a wide range of ages and the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications and reduce morbidity.

An amelogenin mutation leads to disruption of the odontogenic apparatus and aberrant expression of Notch1.

BACKGROUND: Amelogenins are highly conserved proteins secreted by ameloblasts in the dental organ of developing teeth. These proteins regulate dental enamel thickness and structure in humans and mice. Mice that express an amelogenin transgene with a P70T mutation (TgP70T) develop abnormal epithelial proliferation in an amelogenin null (KO) background. Some of these cellular masses have the appearance of proliferating stratum intermedium, which is the layer adjacent to the ameloblasts in unerupted teeth. As Notch proteins are thought to constitute the developmental switch that separates ameloblasts from stratum intermedium, these signaling proteins were evaluated in normal and proliferating tissues. METHODS: Mandibles were dissected for histology and immunohistochemistry using Notch1 antibodies. Molar teeth were dissected for western blotting and RT-PCR for evaluation of Notch levels through imaging and statistical analyses. RESULTS: Notch1 was immunolocalized to ameloblasts of TgP70TKO mice, KO ameloblasts stained, but less strongly, and wild-type teeth had minimal staining. Cells within the proliferating epithelial cell masses were positive for Notch1 and had an appearance reminiscent of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor with amyloid-like deposits. Notch1 protein and mRNA were elevated in molar teeth from TgP70TKO mice. CONCLUSION: Expression of TgP70T leads to abnormal structures in mandibles and maxillae of mice with the KO genetic background and these mice have elevated levels of Notch 1 in developing molars. As cells within the masses also express transgenic amelogenins, development of the abnormal proliferations suggests communication between amelogenin producing cells and the proliferating cells, dependent on the presence of the mutated amelogenin protein.

Partially erupted third molars as a potential source of infection in patients receiving peripheral stem cell transplantation for malignant diseases: a retrospective study.

Forty-four patients with malignant diseases for which they received peripheral stem cell transplant therapy (PSCT) were retrospectively studied regarding local and systemic infection originating from around partially erupted third molars (PEMs). Twenty-two patients had one or more PEMs, while 22 patients had none. Data were retrieved from medical and dental records. Systemic and local signs of infection and treatment were assessed. We recorded the number of transplanted CD34(+) blood stem cells, days with white blood cell counts < 0.5 x 10(9) l(-1), days until engraftment, maximum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), days with fever, positive blood cultures, days taking antibiotics, days drinking < 0.5 l, days of total parenteral nutrition, days receiving intravenously administered analgesics, and number of admission days. No statistically significant difference was detected between patients with PEMs and those without PEMs regarding any of the studied parameters. Of patients with PEMs, 36% (8 of 22) developed local infections around PEMs during the PSCT period. The study indicates that PEMs pose no significant risk of causing systemic infection in patients receiving PSCT for malignant diseases but increase the risk of developing a local infection, justifying close supervision and early treatment in cases of local infection during PSCT treatment.

Distally displaced premolars: A dental anomaly associated with palatally displaced canines.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of association between distally displaced premolars (DDP) and palatally displaced canines (PDC) in the pattern of associated phenotypes of dental developmental disturbance. METHODS: A sample of 2811 subjects (mean age, 9 years 7 months +/- 1 year 3 months) was divided randomly into 2 groups. The first group of 500 subjects was the control group. The reference prevalence rates for the examined parameters were calculated for this group: DDP (measured with the distal angle theta and the premolar-molar angle gamma); PDC; and other dental anomalies, specifically, aplasia of the third molars, aplasia of the contralateral mandibular second premolar, aplasia of the maxillary lateral incisors, and small maxillary lateral incisors. Of the remaining 2311 subjects, the first 100 with a diagnosis of DDP of at least 1 mandibular second premolar comprised experimental group 1 (DDP group). In addition to sex distribution, the same variables that were examined in the control group were analyzed. In the subgroup with the concurrent DDP and PDC (experimental group 2, or DDP-PDC group), the presence of other dental anomalies was investigated. The prevalence rate for PDC in experimental group 1 was compared with that in the control group. The same was done for the prevalence rates for the 4 other dental anomalies in the PDC-DDP group (experimental group 2) vs the prevalence rates for these anomalies in the control group. All comparisons were performed with chi-square tests with the Yates correction (P <0.05), as were the comparisons between the sexes in experimental groups 1 and 2. The values for theta and gamma angles in experimental group 1 were compared with the values for these angles in experimental group 2, as well as with those in the control group. These statistical comparisons were made with analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni post-hoc test (P <0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence rate for PDC in experimental group 1 (28%) was significantly greater than in the control group (4.2%) (P <0.01). Significantly greater prevalence rates for aplasia of the second premolars, aplasia of the maxillary lateral incisors, and small maxillary lateral incisors were found in the PDC-DDP group (experimental group 2) compared with the control group. Significant sex differences (P <0.01) were found in both experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between distal displacement of unerupted mandibular second premolars and PDC was found. Because DDP is diagnosed earlier than PDC, it can be a developmental risk indicator for displaced maxillary permanent canines.

Study of delayed development of the upper first molars.

The present study was undertaken to analyze the status of formation of the upper first molar in individuals suspected as having delayed eruption of the upper first molar. The subjects of this study were 51 patients presenting to orthodontic specialists with delayed eruption of the upper first molars. The 95 teeth of these 51 patients were observed. The investigation of the tooth development status included evaluation of the tooth development stage on panoramic radiographs according to the method of Moorrees et al. The upper first molars that showed delayed development were at the stage of initial cleft formation, reflecting a delay by 2.09 years in boys and 2.84 years in girls. In most cases, the delayed eruption was bilateral, and the development stage of the subject teeth did not differ between right and left sides. The plot of the developmental stage of the subject teeth (Y-axis) against the calendar age of the subjects (X-axis) showing delayed upper first molar development was fitted to the logistic curve. The tooth development was at the stage of initial cleft formation was delayed 2.5 years or more, according to these curves.

Marsupialization: a conservative approach for treating dentigerous cyst in children in the mixed dentition.

Dentigerous cysts are usually encountered in the practice of pediatric dentistry. The treatment modalities range from marsupialization to enucleation of the lesion and are based on the involvement of the lesion with the adjacent structures. However, loss of a permanent tooth in the management of a dentigerous cyst can be devastating to a child who has already a congenitally missing tooth. The first case describes the technique of marsupialization in which we extracted the grossly carious deciduous 1st molar and created a window through the extracted socket to decompress the lesion. In this case the 2nd premolars were congenitally missing on both sides of the mandible for which we had not gone for enucleation of the dentigerous cyst along with the developing 1st premolar. The second case is a developmental type of a big dentigerous cyst where marsupialization was followed by enucleation of the cystic lining but without removal of the affected tooth. Both the teeth erupted in the oral cavity.

[Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH)--a literature review].

MIH was defined by Weerheijm (2001) as "hypomineralisation of systemic origin of 1-4 permanent first molars, frequently associated with affected incisors". The prevalence of MIH varies between 2.8% and 25%, dependent upon the study. At their sixth congress in 2003, The European Association of pediatric dentistry defined criteria for diagnosis of the phenomena. It included the presence of demarcated opacity, posteruptive enamel breakdown, atypical restoration, extracted molar due to MIH and unerupted teeth. According to the teeth involved and to the time of the crown formation, researches focused on environmental and systemic conditions as possible reasons for MIH.The etiologies were divided into five groups: Exposure to environmental contaminants, pre/peri and neonatal problems, exposure to fluoride, common childhood illnesses and medically compromised children. The clinical implications include highly sensitive teeth, difficulty to achieve adequate anesthesia, behavioral problems and anxiety, rapid progression of caries and the esthetic implications. A six step approach to management was described suggested: risk identification, early diagnosis, remineralization and desensitization, prevention of caries and posteruption breakdown, restorations and extractions and finally maintenance. Restoring an affected molar can vary from adhesive intra coronal restorations (resin composite is the material of choice) to extra coronal restorations (e.g. preformed metal crown). Esthetic solutions to affected incisors may include microabrasion (that shows little improvement) and resin composite or porcelain veneer. The key for a successful treatment is early diagnosis, intense follow up and usage of remineralizating agents as soon as the teeth erupt. There is still need for further research to clarify the etiological factors and improve the durability of restoration in affected teeth.

A study on the impact of mandibular third molars on angle fractures.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the relationship between the status and position of mandibular third molars and angle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a total of 2,033 patients with a mandibular fracture, 532 (26%) had angle fractures, and 1,466 (72%) had retained their lower third molars. The most frequent cause for mandibular fracture was road traffic accident (64%), followed by assault (19%). RESULTS: Of 341 patients with an unerupted third molar, mandibular angle fracture was evident in 249 patients (73%). Only 62 patients (9.4%) with a completely erupted third molar had angle fractures, whereas 83 patients (17.6%) with partially erupted third molars had angle fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed an increased risk of angle fractures in the presence of a lower third molar, as well as a variable risk for angle fracture, depending on the third molar's position.

Prevalence of sequelae in the permanent anterior teeth after trauma in their predecessors: a longitudinal study of 8 years.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sequelae in the permanent anterior teeth following trauma in their predecessors, and also to verify the existence of association between the sequelae in the permanent teeth and the type of injury in their predecessors according to the age group at the time of injury. This study was performed based on data from the records of 169 boys and 138 girls who received assistance at the dental clinic of the State University of Rio de Janeiro from March 1996 to December 2004. The sample was collected from 753 traumatized deciduous teeth of children aged 0-10 years. The number of boys and girls with dental trauma corresponded to 55.0% and 45.0%, respectively. The more affected age period was between 1 and 4 years (75.3%). The most common type of traumatic injury was the intrusion (29.3%), followed by avulsion (14.1%). Concerning permanent dentition, the most common developmental disturbances were discoloration of enamel and/or enamel hypoplasia (46.08%) and eruption disturbances (17.97%) due to the traumatic injury in their predecessors. It was not possible to find an association between the type of injury in primary teeth and sequelae in their successors in the studied age groups (P

Effects on permanent teeth after luxation injuries to the primary predecessors: a study in children assisted at an emergency service.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the developmental disturbances in permanent teeth as a result of luxation injuries in the primary teeth predecessors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 5330 records, corresponding to 10 years attendance at the Emergency Center of Baby Clinic, Londrina State University, Brazil, were analyzed. Three hundred and eighty nine children were involved in this study, totaling 620 traumatized primary teeth. Clinical and radiographic examinations were carried out in the permanent successor teeth. RESULTS: In total, 623 permanent teeth were examined and developmental disturbances were detected in 126 teeth (20.2%). The white or yellow-brown discoloration of enamel was the clinical disturbance most observed (78.0%) and the crown alteration most detected through radiographic analysis was hypoplasia (86.0%). Root alterations were rare; root dilaceration was observed in only one case. The age of the children when their primary teeth received damage varied between 6 and 36 months (P = 0.000325). Intrusive luxation and avulsion were related with most of the cases of sequelae in the successor permanent teeth (P = 0.000001). CONCLUSION: The results of the present investigation emphasize the special attention required for children who suffered dental trauma at an early age, especially in cases of intrusive luxation and avulsion.

Physical properties of root cementum: part 12. The incidence of physiologic root resorption on unerupted third molars and its comparison with orthodontically treated premolars: a microcomputed-tomography study.

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION Root resorption can occur as a physiologic or a pathologic process, and it is an unwanted side effect of orthodontic treatment. No baseline studies have assessed this phenomenon in the absence of force variables such as mastication, parafunction, and soft-tissue pressure. In this study, we investigated the incidence and quantitative value of root resorption on unerupted third molars with normal development using microcomputed tomography. METHODS: Nine unerupted, nonimpacted maxillary third molars were collected from 6 patients (ages, 19.47 plus /minus 1.89 years). The teeth were examined with microcomputed tomography and compared with teeth from other studies. (The other teeth had been treated with buccally directed light [25 g] or heavy [225 g] forces applied for 28 days, or light [25 g] or heavy [225 g] intrusion forces for 28 days.) RESULTS: Imaging and volumetric analyses showed resorption craters in many locations and with various magnitudes. Analysis of variance was completed by position (P = 0.04), surface (P = 0.07), height (P = 0.045), left or right side of the mouth (P = 0.85), and subject (P = 0.70). The midroot region on the mesial surfaces of the third molars, near the root structure of adjacent erupted second molars, had the greatest statistical significance. When compared with crater volumes of fully erupted first premolars, we found that the unerupted third molar sample had a slightly greater cube root volume per tooth than the erupted first premolars not subjected to orthodontic force and a similar cube root volume per tooth as did first premolars subjected to light (25 g) buccal and intrusive orthodontic forces. CONCLUSIONS: Root resorption as a consequence of orthodontic treatment might be added to a baseline level of root resorption. The elevated results suggest that resorption might occur as part of hard-tissue remodeling and turnover, eruption, or transmission of masticatory forces through the dentition to the alveolar bone.