An evaluation of root resorption incident to orthodontic intrusion

A new radiographic method was developed for measuring changes in root length. With this technique, orthodontic intrusion was investigated as a potential cause of apical root resorption of maxillary incisors. The experimental group consisted of 17 patients with excessive overbite who were treated with a Burstone-type intrusion arch, which delivered a low level of force (about 15 gm per tooth). A control group was made up of 17 patients in full-arch fixed appliances who were randomly selected. After a period of approximately 4 months, the intrusion group had only slightly more root resorption than the controls, 0.6 mm versus 0.2 mm (statistically significant difference). Intrusion measured at the center of resistance of the central incisor averaged 1.9 mm. The amount of resorption was not correlated with the amount of intrusion. A weak correlation, r = 0.45, was found between resorption and movement of the apex (i.e., in addition to intrusion, there was often palatal root movement). Results of this study seem to indicate that intrusion with low forces can be effective in reducing overbite while causing only a negligible amount of apical root resorption.