Management of merged external/internal root resorption using CEM cement: a case report

Abstract

Chronic pulpal inflammation and infection are the main predisposing factors for internal and external root resorption (IRR & ERR); however, merging of IRR and ERR is a rare lesion which rigorously alters the anatomy of root canals. This study reports a case of merged IRR and ERR in an asymptomatic maxillary left central incisor in a 33-year old Caucasian woman that was managed by one-visit root canal therapy (RCT) using calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement. Radiographic examination showed a short root with under-filled root canal obturation associated with ERR/IRR and an apical lesion. After thorough chemo-mechanical preparation, the root canal was obturated with CEM cement; one week later, the access cavity was permanently restored. Clinical/radiographic examinations at 1-year follow-up revealed uneventful healing, reestablishment of lamina dura and stabilization of the resorptive defects. The treatment outcome demonstrates that one-visit RCT using CEM cement may be a viable treatment option in cases with merged external/internal root resorption. Further clinical trials with a larger number of cases are suggested to document a higher level of evidence

Keywords

• calcium-enriched mixture cement
• dental cements
• endodontics
• root canal therapy
• root resorption