Characterization of pre-eruptive intracoronary resorption by cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Preeruptive  intracoronary  resorption  (PIR)  is  a  rare  circumscribed  radiolucent  lesion  located  in  the  dentin  tissue  of  unerupted  teeth.  The  main  differential  diagnosis  is  carious  lesion;  its  early  detection is important due to the potential pulpal risk. The defect is incidentally identified on dental radiographs;  cone  beam  computed  tomography  (CBCT)  could  provide  data  on  its  location  and  extent, without the inherent limitations of radiographs. The objective of the following report is to characterize the PIR by TCHC in a case series, for which the lesions found in 19 teeth belonging to 14 patients, are described, considering the location of the defect and the degree of extension. Most of the patients were female (n=10, 71.42%), with an average age of 51 years. The affectation of one tooth per patient was the most frequent (n=10, 71.42/%). The central and central-mesial location had the highest percentage in molars (n=7; 53.84%), with type I lesions being more frequent (n=7; 53.84%). In the anterior and Mesiodens teeth, the central location was more frequent, three teeth showed type I lesions and three type V. CBCT allowed the precise examination of RIP lesions, the defect shows a variable imaging appearance, from a single and rounded lesion to multiple defects in the same tooth,  contiguous  or  not  to  the  enamel-dentin  junction.  Careful  evaluation  of  unerupted  teeth  is  important to identify early lesions and decide the most appropriate case management.