Management of Horizontal Root Fractures
CE: 0.75
Description: Horizontal root fractures are not a common injury, but they do present a number of challenges for their management. Teeth with root fractures generally have a good long-term prognosis but this depends on whether it is located in the apical, middle or coronal third of the root. The more apical the fracture, the better the prognosis for the tooth and also for the pulp. Root canal treatment is not often required for root fractures and should be deferred until there are definite signs of an infected root canal system. If the pulp is removed, then the opportunity for some internal repair with dentine is lost. Coronal third fractures should be further divided into those within bone (sub-osseous) or those not within bone (supra-osseous). If the fracture is located within bone, then stabilisation and long-term monitoring is often all that is required. However, supra-osseous root fractures present difficult treatment decisions. Many will require removal of the coronal fragment followed by root canal treatment and restoration with a postretained crown, but this may not always be feasible and orthodontic extrusion and/or periodontal surgery may also be required. This lecture will outline the various healing responses and management options for horizontal root fractures.
At the conclusion, participants should be able to:
- Describe a new classification for horizontal root fractures.
- List the various responses to horizontal root fractures.
- Outline the prognosis for teeth following horizontal root facture according to the position of the fracture.
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Paul V. Abbott, B.D.Sc., M.D.S., FRACDS(Endo)
Paul Abbott is an Emeritus Professor of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia. He is a Specialist Endodontist. Prior to taking a full-time University position in 2002, he spent 17 years in private specialist endodontic practice and he also held part-time academic positions at The University of Western Australia and the University of Melbourne. He was Dean and Head of the School of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia and Director of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia from 2003- 2009. He has presented over 1000 lectures and courses in 49 countries. He has published 230 articles in refereed journals, 25 textbook chapters and 47 Newsletter articles. From 2015-2022, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Dental Traumatology. Prof. Abbott’s main research and clinical interests revolve around dental
traumatology, tooth resorption, the diagnosis and management of pulp, root canal and peri-radicular conditions, with particular emphasis on pain control and disinfection of the root canal system. Prof. Abbott has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and service to the dental profession, particularly in education and research. In 2015, the Governor-General of Australia appointed Prof. Abbott as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - one of the highest honours in Australia – “For distinguished service to clinical dentistry, and to higher education, as an academic, researcher and author, to endodontics as a practitioner, and to professional organisations.”
Paul Vincent. Abbott, B,D.Sc., M.D.S, FRACDS(Endo)
In accordance with this policy, I declare I have a past or present proprietary or relevant financial relationship or receive gifts in kind (including soft intangible remuneration), consulting position or affiliation or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product service, course and/or company, or in any firm beneficially associated therewith as indicated below. Consultant: OzDent PTY LTD Honorarium: OzDent PTY LTD
