Invasive Cervical Resorption Class III in a Maxillary Central Incisor: Diagnosis and Follow-up by Means of Cone-beam Computed Tomography

Introduction: Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is a type of external resorption that begins below the epithelial attachment. The etiology of ICR is mainly caused by trauma or orthodontic treatment. In many cases, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a very useful tool to achieve proper diagnosis.

Methods: This case presented with invasive cervical resorption class III (Heithersay) caused by trauma on tooth #9. CBCT was performed allowing observation of the extent of the lesion in the three spatial planes.

Results: Treatment was combined: surgical treatment to expose the resorptive defect and nonsurgical root canal therapy to remove the necrotic pulp and disinfect the root canal system; finally, the resorptive defect was filled up with resin ionomer (Geristore; Den-Mat Corporation, Santa Maria, CA).

Conclusions: Follow up x-ray films showed healing of the periradicular tissues, and then a control CBCT was performed to assess the reliability of the conventional x-ray film; a small periapical lesion was observed in two of the CBCT sections.