Nonsurgical management and 2-year follow-up by means of cone beam computed tomography of an invasive cervical resorption in a molar

Background: Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is a relatively uncommon form of external tooth resorption, characterized by an invasive nature. It is usually painless and detection of lesions is often made incidentally. Three-dimensional imaging techniques, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), are useful in the diagnosis and management of ICR as the true extent of the defect cannot always be estimated using conventional radiographs. Aim: The aim of this article is to report on the successful treatment of ICR in mandibular first molar by nonsurgical approach and follow-up by means of CBCT. Case report: An 18-year-old patient was referred with a complaint of unusual radiolucency in the mesial cervical area of tooth #19 with unknown etiology. Cone beam computed tomography was performed to assess the extent of the lesion in three spatial levels and diagnosis of Heithersay class III ICR was made. This case presented with ICR (Heithersay class III) on tooth #19. Nonsurgical root canal treatment and removal of the lesion from the coronal access was performed; the resorptive defect was filled with dual-cure, self-adhesive, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC); 6-month follow-up X-ray film showed no changes at the lesion site and tooth was asymptomatic; 1-year follow-up X-ray film showed slight mesial bone loss and a probing depth of 3 mm; finally, 2-year follow-up CBCT images showed no recurrence and no further bone destruction at the lesion site. Conclusion: The intraoral radiographs revealed the resorptive changes in two dimensions; therefore, the actual extent and location of the lesions are not fully understood. On the contrary, CBCT is a very useful tool to achieve a proper diagnosis; it detects the extent of the defect more accurately and hence, improves the treatment outcomes of ICR. Clinical significance: The ICR is usually seen as a late complication to traumatic injuries of the teeth; it is essential, therefore, that the patients who were exposed to situations that can damage the integrity of periodontal tissue need to have careful periodic recalls and X-ray examinations.