Research progress on invasive cervical resorption

Tooth absorption can be divided into physiological absorption and pathological absorption. Root absorption of mature deciduous teeth is physiological absorption. Pathological absorption includes internal absorption and external absorption. Internal absorption, also known as intramedullary absorption, includes inflammatory absorption and alternative absorption. External tooth absorption originates from the outer surface of the root or the neck of the tooth and can be divided into inflammatory absorption, alternative absorption, pressure resorption and invasive cervical resorption. Invasive cervical resorption (ICR) is pathological damage caused by many factors, which usually begins in the cementoenamel junction and extends peripherally or horizontally in the dentin. It hardly invades the pulp. Orthodontic devices, trauma, bleaching, systemic diseases, and the use of certain medications can all lead to invasive cervical resorption. The clinical manifestations of ICR are usually asymptomatic or not obvious, and most of which are found in imaging examinations. Because caries and internal absorption are often misdiagnosed through plain apical radiography, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) can help to better understand the situation of invasive cervical resorption. Because the pathogenesis and etiology of invasive cervical resorption are not fully understood, clinical negligence and inadequate treatment of invasive cervical resorption can even cause unnecessary tooth loss. This article reviews the latest research progress on the histopathologic features, pathogenic mechanism, susceptibility factors, diagnosis and treatment of ICR, with special emphasis on susceptibility factors and their mechanisms.