Management of a Molar Tooth with External Inflammatory Root Resorption by Intentional Reimplantation: A Case Report

External inflammatory root resorption (EIR) is a pathological process that typically develops as a result of trauma, infected necrotic pulp, or orthodontic forces causing damage to the periodontal tissues. In this case report, intentional reimplantation (IR) was performed on a 42-year-old systemically healthy male patient presenting with EIR and a periapical lesion in the right mandibular second molar. The treatment involved orthograde root canal retreatment followed by tooth extraction, microscopic evaluation of the root surfaces, apical resection, retrograde filling with mineral trioxide aggregate, and reimplantation of the tooth into its socket. All extraoral procedures were completed within 12 min, during which the root surfaces were continuously irrigated with sterile saline. Clinical and radiographic follow-up revealed a reduction in the lesion size and that the tooth remained asymptomatic and functional. IR is considered an effective and tooth-preserving approach in the management of EIR.

Keywords: Intentional reimplantation, external inflammatory resorption, periapical lesion, mineral trioxide aggregate