Evaluation of the Effect of Different Bracket Systems on External Apical Root Resorption Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the external apical root resorption (EARR) developed in the maxillary and mandibular teeth of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with conventional and self-ligating bracket systems. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of patients treated with self-ligating and conventional bracket systems, which were taken at the beginning and end of treatment, were evaluated. The teeth where EARR developed during the treatment period were identified. EARR was evaluated as yes or no. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of a total of 300 patients (68.7% female, 31.3% male), 20% were treated with the self-ligating bracket system, while 80% were treated with the conventional bracket system. EARR occurred in 8.3% (n = 25) of the patients after treatment. A statistically significant difference was found when the effect of age, gender, and treatment duration on the incidence of EARR was evaluated. The incidence of EARR was higher in the age group of 18-30 years than in the age group of 12-17 years. Similarly, it was found to be higher in men than in women and higher in the group with a treatment duration of 33-49 months than in the group with a treatment duration of 8-32 months. Conclusion: Treatment duration has been observed to affect the incidence of EARR in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, and the incidence of EARR increases with increased treatment duration. Furthermore, it has been concluded that EARR during orthodontic treatment is influenced by age and gender. There is no difference between self-ligating and conventional bracket systems in terms of EARR.