Cotti started her presentation, titled “Invasive cervical resorption: A clinical approach”, by introducing herself. The Sardinia-born dentist received her DDS from the University of Cagliari in Italy. In 1991, she received a certificate and a master’s degree in endodontics from Loma Linda University in the US.

She is the chair of the department of conservative dentistry and endodontics at the school of dentistry and director of the one-year postgraduate programme in endodontics at the University of Cagliari. Besides running a private practice limited to endodontics, Cotti teaches in the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics at the University of Bologna in Italy and is a lecturer in the Department of Endodontics at Loma Linda.

Then turning to the content of her paper, Cotti outlined predisposing factors that can lead to invasive cervical resorption. She said that especially, and often in combination, orthodontic treatment, classic trauma and extraction of adjacent teeth are the main causes of this dental condition. To demonstrate diagnosis of invasive cervical resorption and its treatment, Cotti presented patient cases from her own work.

“Invasive external cervical resorption is a dangerous form of invasive root resorption with an aetiology that is still unclear, but often related to traumatic injuries of the teeth, ranging from mild to acute events. If not detected and treated, it may lead to tooth loss. This pathology is not easy to detect and define, and diagnosis requires a careful clinical examination, an evaluation of the history of the tooth and the use of advanced radiographic techniques,” she said.

As far as treatment is concerned, the resorptive process should be interrupted, Cotti explained. Root canal therapy may be required, and it should ensure good disinfection of the root canal system and optimal sealing of endodontic–periodontal pathways. Further treatment may require surgical intervention. As a treatment approach, she recommended the use of bioactive cements, since they have proven useful.

Cotti is the author of several papers in the field of endodontics and has a specific interest in periapical pathology, immature teeth, complex case management, imaging techniques, and interactions between periapical periodontitis and systemic conditions. She is an active member of the Italian Society of Endodontics, at which she has served as executive member for ten years, and a member of the European Society of Endodontology, at which she has served as country delegate for seven years. She is the past President of the Società Italiana di Traumatologia Dentale [Italian society of dental traumatology].

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