A case report of severe external resorption.

External root resorption is a multifactorial process with many causes. Except for transient surface resorption, it is usually considered an irreversible process. Treatment can arrest or retard the resorptive process. Many factors that have been associated with this process include physiologic resorption, local factors, systemic conditions, and idiopathic resorption. This case report documents a 29-year-old white male who suffered a motor vehicle accident and dental trauma nine years ago. The accident resulted in the lateral displacement of the maxillary right canine. The maxillary right lateral incisor, right central incisor and left central incisors were avulsed. The right central incisor was never recovered from the accident site. The other teeth were replanted 90 minutes after the accident and rigidly splinted for six months. They then received root canal treatment, approximately one month after the splint was removed (seven months from time of the trauma). On annual examination, the patient complained of a loose maxillary fixed prosthesis. He was diagnosed with severe external resorption on the right lateral and left central incisors, and severe external replacement resorption on the right canine. This case report reviews the current trends in the treatment of avulsed teeth and the resorptive process.