The fate of a mid-root fracture: a case report

The present report describes a case of a mid-root fracture in a maxillary central incisor of a 19-year-old patient. The fractured tooth was splinted with composite that was removed only 3 years later, as the patient did not appear for follow-up examinations. At this time, the radiographs revealed a normal periodontal ligament, rounding of the borders of the fragments and pulp obliteration of both fragments. Eight years later, the tooth was clinically normal and blurred calcification of the root canal was disclosed radiographically. After 13.5 years the patient complained of tooth mobility and radiographic examination revealed an advanced cervical root resorption. As no conservative approach was possible at this stage, the patient was referred to a prosthodontist for esthetic rehabilitation.