Treatment of horizontal root-fractured maxillary incisors

Abstract

Root fractures are defined as fractures that involve the dentin, cementum, and pulp, resulting in stretching or laceration of the pulp and/or periodontal ligament injury (rupture or compression). Two cases of horizontal root-fractured maxillary incisors are introduced in the present report. The first case is a middle third root-fractured maxillary incisor with root canal therapy in the coronal fragment, and the second case is a cervical third root-fractured maxillary incisor without root canal therapy. Both cases showed favorable results with a long-term follow-up period. In all traumatic injuries, early diagnosis and appropriate intervention dramatically enhance the outcome. The primary purpose of the treatment of root-fractured teeth is to maintain the vitality of the teeth. After an adequate observation period, if vitality control reveals non-vital pulp tissue, or if the patient complains of pain or discomfort in the tooth, endodontic therapy can be performed, usually to the coronal segment only.