Estimation of the effect of physiological and pathological root resorption of primary teeth on the growth of permanent teeth in 6- to 8-year-old girls using panoramic radiographs

Primary teeth (healthy or slightly carious without pulp involvement) undergo physiological root resorption, whereas pathological root resorption occurs in primary teeth with severe caries and pulp involvement. Awareness of the dentist regarding the effect of root resorption in primary teeth on the stages of growth in permanent teeth will be useful during the treatment planning process. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physiological and pathological primary root resorption on the stages of growth in permanent teeth among girls aged 6-8 years. A total of 30 panoramic radiographs of 72 mandibular primary molars were used in this descriptive cross-sectional study. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the growth of permanent teeth was noted between primary teeth with physiological root resorption and those with pathological root resorption. The types of root resorption in primary teeth appear to affect the growth of their successors in the permanent dentition in girls aged 6-8 years.