Management of Root Fractures

Traumatic injuries to teeth account for approximately 25% of dental conditions where a patient seeks dentist for emergency treatment. Root fractures are defined as injuries involving dentine, cementum, and the pulp. They are rare, and they account for 0.5–7% of the dental injuries in the permanent teeth. Root fractures may be the result of direct trauma to the teeth or indirect trauma to the oral cavity. Their incidence is highest in the group of adolescent patients aged 11 to 20 years. Radicular fractures are one such entity which is very challenging to address due to various complications like periodontal communication, increased mobility, and continued pulpal infection leading to necrosis. Root fractures in young patients have good healing potential. Appropriate and early diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for treating root-fractured teeth are necessary to achieve favourable healing and a good long-term prognosis.

Regardless of the pattern of healing of fractured roots and the treatment provided, patients require long-term follow-up and the need to plan a management strategy in case complications occur. Failure of the healing of fractured root is a worst-case scenario, especially in patients of developmental age. In such cases, the primary goal of treatment is to preserve the alveolar ridge until growth is complete. During the recent years introduction of biomimetic materials has opened the horizon for saving these teeth. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the various types of root fractures, their diagnosis and treatment, along with the factors affecting their healing and prognosis.