Prevalence and Characteristics of Intracoronal Resorption in Unerupted Teeth in the Permanent Dentition: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence, types of teeth, and distribution of intracoronal resorption in permanent dentition in a large population. Methods: A total of 9,570 panoramic radiographs were screened, and 2,922 unerupted teeth were examined. Results: The prevalence of intracoronal dentine defects was 1.55% in subjects and 0.95% in teeth. The highest prevalence of intracoronal radiolucencies was noted in the mandibular second molar (9.5%), followed by the maxillary second premolar tooth (4.7%). To our knowledge, this is the first report of coronal radiolucency in maxillary supernumerary teeth. Of the lesions identified, 39.3% were two-thirds of the dentine thickness, and 21.4% included the enamel; 85.7% of the defects were located at the central aspect of the crown. Ectopically positioned teeth showing intracoronal resorption accounted for 14.3% of the cases. Conclusions: Intracoronal resorption in an unerupted tooth occurs frequently and can be seen in more than one tooth in an individual. This condition is usually associated with not only an ectopic position but also resorption, which may be a progressive process. Dental clinicians should conduct periodic follow-ups, both clinical and radiographic, of these unerupted teeth. © 2009 Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Springer.