Pre‐eruptive intracoronal resorption in a third upper molar: clinical, tomographic and histological analysis

• Published in: Australian dental journal Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 223 - 227
• Main Authors: Lenzi, R, Marceliano‐Alves, MF, Alves, FRF, Pires, FR, Fidel, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Abscess - diagnostic imaging; Abscess - etiology; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Dentition, Permanent; Female; Humans; intracoronal radiolucent lesion; Middle Aged; Molar; Molar, Third; occult caries; pre‐eruptive caries; pre‐eruptive intracoronal resorption; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tooth Crown - diagnostic imaging; Tooth Crown - pathology; Tooth Eruption; Tooth Extraction; Tooth Resorption; Tooth, Impacted - pathology; Tooth, Unerupted - pathology; occult caries; pre-eruptive caries; intracoronal radiolucent lesion; Cone-beam computed tomography; pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption
• ISSN: 0045-0421; 1834-7819
• DOI: 10.1111/adj.12444

Radiolucent or hypodense lesions in the crown of unerupted teeth may be due to pre‐eruptive intracoronal resorption. Clinicians must be aware of this risk so that they can diagnose and appropriately treat this condition. The purpose of this study is to present a well‐documented clinical case of pre‐eruptive intracoronal resorption in an impacted third upper left molar of a 63 year old female patient. This was an unexpected finding, which occurred after cone‐beam computed tomography was used to investigate the first upper left molar, which had an acute periradicular abscess. A multidisciplinary team followed up the case to describe clinical, radiographic and histological findings. The available treatment options were discussed, and the tooth extraction was the option chosen. Previous case studies describing such resorption in third upper molars have not been reported. This case shows that all permanent teeth in a pre‐eruptive stage must be analysed radiographically to detect early pre‐eruptive intracoronal resorption.