Does orthodontic tooth movement impact tooth prognosis following root canal?

Investigators have found that orthodontic tooth movement may not influence the outcomes of teeth treated with root canal, according to a study published in the Journal of Endodontics.

Orthodontic therapy requiring tooth movement is a known risk factor for iatrogenic apical root resorption and blunted root ends. However, researchers have little understanding of the outcomes of endodontically treated teeth indicated for orthodontic tooth movement.

In the retrospective study, the investigators analyzed the outcomes of 169 root canal-treated teeth in 100 patients with apical periodontitis who underwent root canal therapy.

After considering certain factors — including age, sex, tooth position, quality of root canal treatment, periodontal condition status, orthodontic traction distance and angle of rotation during orthodontic treatment — they found that, regardless of apical periodontitis status, orthodontic tooth movement did not adversely affect root canal-treated teeth. However, endodontic treatment quality and coronal restoration were both factors contributing to outcomes in these teeth.

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