Clinical and epidemiological study of traumatic root fractures

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the prevalence and clinical presentation of root fractures in a series of patients with dental trauma. Treatment strategies were classified and outcomes after a 6-month period presented. The study population comprised 76 patients (between the ages of 2 and 55 years) with 93 root fractures in their teeth (18 primary, 75 permanent). Data were collected following the taking of a detailed clinical history, objective clinical examination and photographic and radiological investigation. Since most of the primary teeth were extracted, only cases with root fracture of permanent teeth were followed-up: in all, 24 patients with 31 teeth with root fractures. The prevalence of root fractures in permanent teeth was 7.7% of all injuries, while in primary teeth it was 3.8%. The most frequently involved teeth were the maxillary incisors with a percentage of 75% in permanent teeth. Moreover, 40% of root fractures in permanent teeth were associated with fracture of the alveolar bone and of the soft tissues and in 45% of cases, the adjacent teeth were also injured. The results of this study reaffirm the necessity for scrupulous diagnosis of teeth after a traumatic injury. Adjacent teeth and those in the opposing arch should not be ignored. Treatment is multidisciplinary, requiring surgical, orthodontic, operative and prosthetic compliance. Periodic check-up is essential.

Post-Trauma Root Fracture in Teeth With Incomplete Root Development: A Case Report

“…The recovery of tooth function following root fracture is affected by the degree to which the root has been fractured, the status of the pulp tissue, occlusion, dislocation of the fractured parts, and the health status of the patient [5,20,21]. Root development was incomplete in our case.…”

Teamwork in orthodontics: Limiting the risks of root resorption

“…It has recently been shown that while one upper incisor may sustain the brunt of a traumatic incident, 45% of associated teeth will also have experienced some trauma at the same time. 18 It is also therefore not surprising that the orthodontic management of such cases will frequently require a 'team effort' involving liaison between the orthodontist and the patient's GDP. Not only that, but the patient needs to be fully aware of the possible consequences not only of the orthodontic treatment itself but of the traumatic episode, generally since the repercussions may, in some circumstances, not appear until some years later, irrespective of any intervening orthodontic treatment.…”

An Overview of Management of Root Fractures

“…1 A radicular fracture involves cementum, dentin and pulp and can be located in either the radicular apparatus (root fracture) or extend onto the coronal portion of the tooth (coronal-root fracture).The maxillary central incisors are most commonly involved because of their anterior position and protrusion caused by the eruptive process, making up 80% of the cases. 2 The most affected age range is 3-4 years for primary teeth and 11-20 years for permanent teeth. 3 Root fractures are uncommon in teeth with incomplete root development and those in various stages of eruption because of resilience of the alveolar bone.…”