OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between initial alveolar bone density of upper central incisors (ABD-UI) and external apical root resorption (EARR) after 12 months of orthodontic movement in cases without extraction.
METHODS:
A total of 47 orthodontic patients 11 years old or older were submitted to periapical radiography of upper incisors prior to treatment (T1) and after 12 months of treatment (T2). ABD-UI and EARR were measured by means of densitometry.
RESULTS:
No statistically significant correlation was found between initial ABD-UI and EARR at T2 (r = 0.149; p = 0.157).
CONCLUSION:
Based on the present findings, alveolar density assessed through periapical radiography is not predictive of root resorption after 12 months of orthodontic treatment in cases without extraction.
Root resorption; Tooth movement; Dental radiography; Bone density