Conservative Approach of Fractured Tooth with 7-Years of Clinical and Radiographical Follow-Up: Case Report

Abstract

Clinical and radiographical diagnosis is crucial to treat a tooth with transverse root fracture (TRF) due to dental trauma (DT). This paper aimed to report a clinical case of TRF at the cervical third of tooth 21 injured by recurrent DT with 7 years of follow-up. A 7-years old female patient was referred to dental care after the first episode of DT in 2014. Based on the radiographical examination, splinting of teeth 11 and 21 was performed using resin composite. After 11 months, the splint was removed and the patient was discharged. In 2015, the patient suffered a second DT of the same tooth. The clinical approach was splinting the traumatized tooth using orthodontic wire and resin composite. In 2018, a third episode of DT occurred. Then, the dental staff chose to maintain the splint and evaluate the case in a long-term. In 2021, based on bone tissue condition, dental fragment stability and radiographical follow-up, the splint was removed. The patient remains under regular follow up evaluations. It can be concluded that a conservative approach in cases of TRF, when possible, can preserve biological tissues. KEY WORDS: dental trauma. root fracture. dental pulp. esthetics.