Replacement resorption - Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of replacement resorption is seldom problematic. The dental history and radiographic features are usually so typical that other possibilities can be excluded. External inflammatory root resorption starts soon (a few days to 2 - 3 weeks) after trauma and proceeds rapidly, whereas replacement resorption is often detected years after trauma. In replacement resorption the absence of inflammatory changes in the bone adjacent to the area of resorption also helps in differential diagnosis.

Sometimes, trauma to a tooth where root development is not yet complete may result in an irregular shape of the apical part of the root. The presence of a PDL (periodontal ligament space) in such cases indicates root anomaly rather than replacement resorption.

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