Root Resorption Caused by Thin Roots Combined with Reciprocal Movement: A Case Report and Nursing Care Points

Abstract

Root resorption is a significant complication in orthodontic treatment, with thin roots and reciprocal movement being recognized as high-risk factors. This paper reports a case of a 19-year-old female patient who underwent orthodontic treatment for dental irregularity. The patient had thin roots in the maxillary lateral incisors 12 and 22. During treatment, tooth 22 experienced reciprocal movement of labial expansion followed by retraction, while tooth 12 adopted passive ligation to reduce reciprocal movement. After 23 months of straight-wire extraction treatment, good occlusal relationships were achieved, but significant root resorption occurred in teeth 12 and 22, with tooth 22 showing more severe resorption. This case confirms the synergistic effect between thin roots and reciprocal movement, demonstrating that thin roots are more sensitive to reciprocal movement stimulation, producing a synergistic amplification effect. Additionally, standardized nursing guidance and patient compliance management play important roles in reducing resorption risk. This case emphasizes the importance of pretreatment risk assessment, individualized treatment strategy formulation, and comprehensive nursing intervention throughout treatment, providing reference for clinical prevention of root resorption.