Purpose:
Explore the healing potential of a fresh approach to repair of incomplete vertical root fractures (IVRF) in endodontically treated teeth.
Materials/Methods:
- N= 6 roots, each with 1 vertical root fracture
- Materials/Methods: Roots access surgically. An ultrasonic microendo tip used to excavate the IVRF to a depth of 2 to 3 mm and a width of 1 mm. Following the manufacturer’s directions, the defect was bonded with 4-META (Amalgambond). The fracture was then packed with silver glass ionomer cement (Ketac-Silver). Graft with membrane performed. Occlusion equilibrated. (3 roots treated this way)
- Technique 2 – Same as above, only prepared fractured fracture treated with acid etch and filled with white GI. (2 roots)
- Technique 3 – No bone graft material or GTR was used
Results:
1.Of the six roots in the study, five failed within 2 to 11 months.
2.One root continued to be symptom-free, without periodontal pocket formation for I yr, but then failed because of extension of the incomplete root fracture to the lingual of the root.
Clinical Significance:
Failure of long-term healing in all cases illustrates the multifactorial etiology involved with vertical root fractures, and that repair methods discussed have a poor prognosis.