A technique for the treatment of horizontal midroot fractures

Abstract

Horizontal root fractures of teeth can occur as a result of traumatic incidents such as fighting, trauma from foreign bodies, or from contact sports. '-'~ From 1% to 7% of all dental injuries result in root fractures. :~ Some previous studies suggest that root fractures occur more often in men than in women4,5; 90% of root fractures (36 of 40) occurred in the middle third of the root, 10% (4 cases) occurred in the apical third, and in only 18 of .these 40 cases were the patients able to recall the accident that caused the fracture. 5 Numerous investigators ~think that all fractured roots do not need treatment.1,.~.6-1~ Factors that influence successful treatment of horizontal root fractures are pulpal response, location or level of the fracture, proximity of the fractured segments, amount of dislocation and mobility, absence of possible infection, and the patient's general health and ability for tissue repair.3-6.s-10,1~-17 Grossman s said, When root fracture occurs in the middle or coronal third of the root the prognosis is unfavorable because of the difficulty of immobilizing the tooth. Andreasen, :~ in summarizing the literature, 5,~,ls.''~ said that there is a 20% to 44% frequency of pulp necrosis after root fracture of permanent .teeth. Various therapeutic modalities for use in the treatment of root fractures have been described.l-'~,6-H,13,14,2~ The purpose of this report is to show a potentially useful procedure in ~the management of horizontal midroot fractures. Report of Case