Orthodontic Forces Causing Damage the Pulpal Condition. Report of Two Cases

Gabriel M. Fonseca & Andrés E. Guzmán

Summary

The literature has suggested the implication of the use of orthodontic forces as producing mechanical damage, inflammatory reactions in the periodontium, periapical injury and root resorption. More commonly explored parameters in investigations of the tissue response to orthodontic forces consist of measuring the levels of pulpal oxygen and disturbances in dental pulp circulation. It has been demonstrated that the pulpal irrigation diminishes early when continuous applications of orthodontic forces are realized, even if these are of soft intensity, concluding that the magnitude of the forces must not necessarily be excessive to originate cell damage, which eventually might derive in signs such as simple crown discoloration to progressive obliteration or pulp necrosis. Two cases of orthodontically treated subjetcs with hemorrhagic extravasation and pulp necrosis (canine and lateral incisive respectively, both left upper) with absence of previous trauma are presented and the diagnostic protocols for the evaluation of the pulpal condition are discussed. KEY WORDS: orthodontics, pulp injury, diagnostic procedures.

How to cite this article

FONSECA, G. M. & GUZMÁN, A. E. Orthodontic forces causing damage in pulpal condition. Report of two cases. Int. J. Odontostomat., 4(3):271-276, 2010.