Evaluation of a correlation between the severity of root resorption of adjacent teeth and level of difficulty of impacted canine – A cone-beam computed tomography study

An interrelation between the level of difficulty of canine impaction based on its three-dimensional position and the degree of root resorption of the adjacent teeth improves the quality of orthodontic treatment planning. It would be advantageous for clinicians to know the predilection of resorption in varying canine positions. The aim of the study is to evaluate and correlate the severity of root resorption of adjacent teeth and the level of difficulty of impacted canine classified by KPG Index and sector analysis using cone-beam computed tomography. The study sample comprised 48 impacted canines in orthodontic patients (17 boys and 27 girls) with a mean age of 24 years. The cone-beam computed tomographs were evaluated using Dolphin Imaging Software and primarily, three observations were recorded: KPG index, sector analysis, and root resorption. The samples were equally divided into four groups based on the KPG index, with 12 samples in each group. Additionally, the inclination of the canine in the frontal plane and their degree of vertical eruption were recorded. The number and severity of resorptive lesions increased as the KPG score escalated. The mean KPG score was 13.67 ± 6.336 and the average KPG index was 2.5 ± 1.13. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between all the parameters and root resorption. A positive correlation exists between the level of difficulty of canine impaction and root resorption of the adjacent teeth. A KPG score higher than 13.67 can be a resourceful predictor of resorptive lesions. An increased tendency of root resorption of the neighboring teeth was observed when angle α and angle β exceed 43.71° and 43.26°, respectively.