Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Study of Root Resorption in Maxillary Anterior Teeth Following Rhinoplasty

Introduction: Rhinoplasty, frequently ranked among the most performed cosmetic surgeries around the world, is usually done to adjust the nose’s shape for appearance (aesthetic) or breathing (functional) purposes, or both. Because the procedure deals directly with nasal and facial anatomy, it doesn’t just stop there. It can, and often does, affect nearby structures. The dental region, in particular, tends to be more vulnerable than often anticipated. Risks extend beyond what’s immediately visible. One complication that might arise is root resorption. This involves a slow breakdown of dentin and cementum, set off by odontoclast cells, and can lead, over time, to tooth movement or even loss. Aim of the study: To investigate whether root resorption could emerge as a post-op complication in the maxillary anterior teeth after rhinoplasty. Materials and methods: A total of 195 individuals, aged 18 to 45, underwent either open or closed rhinoplasty procedures, without gender preference, addressing both aesthetic and functional concerns. CBCT scans were obtained at intervals of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following surgery to check for root resorption evidence. Results: The statistical analysis found no significant relationship between rhinoplasty and root resorption development in maxillary anterior teeth. It found that root resorption occurrence was likely independent of the type of rhinoplasty (chi-square was 3.16, p-value was 0.07, not significant at p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found a non-significant shift toward increased root resorption in the maxillary anterior teeth with rhinoplasty, and it did not suggest decisive evidence of a higher risk. The study also found that external root resorption was more common than internal resorption, and among the teeth observed, it found that the maxillary central incisors ended up being the ones most frequently involved.