Single cervical resorption

Cervical resorption starts on the root surface at the cervical area of the tooth. The resorption starts apically to the junctional epitelium; this is an important pathogenetic and diagnostic difference to root surface caries.

The resorption is supposed to be induced by trauma to the cementum exposing the mineralized cement and dentine to the soft tissue. Local inflammation stimulates osteoclastic cells, which start resorbing cementum and dentine. It is supposed that microbial stimuli through dentinal tubules originating from the gingival pocket area is responsible for the progression of the resorption.

Cervical resorption can spread both coronally and apically. Clinically, a red discoloration at the gingival margin of the crown is an indication of cervical resorption.

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