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MAXILLARY INCISOR ROOT FORMS IN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

P. M. NG’ANG’A, R. N. NG’ANG’A

Abstract


ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate, radiographically, the root forms of maxillary incisors in a sample
of patients seeking orthodontic treatment in Nairobi, Kenya.
Design: A retrospective study of maxillary incisor root forms based on periapical
radiographs.
Setting: A private dental clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.
Materials and Methods: The study comprised 393 maxillary incisors in 100 consecutive
subjects(51 boys, 49 girls) aged 9-24 years. Intra-oral periapical radiographs of the
incisors were evaluated. An index was used to categorise the roots as follows: 0=normal,
1=short, 2-blunt, 3=apical bend, 4=pippete apex.
Results: Normal root form was recorded in 60%, short in 12.5%, blunt in 7%, apical
bend in 13%, and pippete-apex in 7% of the roots. Sixty nine percent of the pippeteapex
roots were in central incisors and 94% of the roots with apical bend were in lateral
incisors. Seventy three percent of short roots were in females.
Conclusion: Based on evidence from previous studies on risk of root resorption which
indicates that pipette and blunt roots are the forms mostly involved in this phenomenon,
the present data imply that about 14% of the roots may have been at risk of moderate
to severe resorption during fixed orthodontic treatment.

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The East African Medical Journal is published monthly by Kenya Medical Association.

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