Vertical root fracture associated with prolonged use of calcium hydroxide during apexification. A case report

Abstract

Apexification is a procedure performed in young permanent teeth seeking an apical closure and root elongation, when the epithelial sheath of Hertwig unmeet irreversibly affected. The aim of this article is to relate to vertical root fracture as a complication during apexification to work for long time with calcium hydroxide. Female patient, student, 9, attended at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University Andres Bello campus Concepcion, presented severe and spontaneous pain, pressure and swelling of the left cheek. Clinically fund lobby edematous around lower left first molar (3.6) and purulent content. Radiographically was observed apical lesions and the presence of open apices. The diagnosis was Pulp necrosis and Acute Apical Abscess, was trepanned for intracanal drainage and oral antibiotic medication was prescribed, before being sent to the specialty of endodontics, where the selected treatment was Apexification with calcium hydroxide until it observed the formation of apical barrier. Upon completion of the objective, a vertical root fracture was discovered, confirming that this use should not be prolonged because processes of dehydration leads to weakening of the walls and therefore of the tooth.