Ivan E. PeĢrez
Summary
Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption (PEIR) is characterized by a well-defined radiolucency within the coronal dentin, immediately adjacent to the amelodentinal junction of an unerupted tooth. The lesion may extend into the enamel and/or pulp chamber. This dentinal defect is attributed to a resorptive process of unknown etiology and has not been associated with gender, race, or systemic medical conditions. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of PEIR in a sample of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans, describe its tomographic characteristics, assess linear and volumetric measurements, and compare the frequency of PEIR detected on CBCT versus panoramic radiographs (PR) from the same sample. A total of 175 CBCT scans and 173 PR images from patients aged 6 to 20 years were reviewed. The defect shape, intercuspal distance (IC) ratio, linear dimensions, and volume were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The frequency of PEIR on CBCT was 19.4 %. Among the qualitative variables, 70.6 % were single defects, 72.9 % were in the mandible, and 75 % were found in molars. Defect shapes were classified as rounded (79.2 %), quadrangular (16.7 %), or irregular (4.2 %). IC ratios were distributed as follows: 1/4 (66.7 %), 1/3 (25 %), and 1/2 (8.3 %). Notably, 69.6 % of PEIR defects were not visualized on PR. Descriptive analyses of the linear and volumetric measurements revealed significant differences between Class I defects and Classes II and IV, defects located in cuspal regions of premolars and molars, and defects visible versus non-visible on PR. In conclusion, a high percentage of defects were not detectable on PR, and these non-detectable lesions exhibited significantly smaller measurements compared with those detectable on PR.
KEY WORDS: Intracoronal resorption, tooth development, unerupted teeth, cone beam computed tomography, panoramic radiography.