Cemental tear: a case report of a rare root fracture

A 79-yr-old female presented to the clinic for endodontic evaluation of an unresolved periodontal defect. The patient's dental history included extraction of tooth #30 with subsequent placement of two dental implants. The patient presented with a localized periodontal defect on the distal of tooth #29. Radiographic evaluation revealed a thin radiopacity and associated radiolucency along the entire lateral aspect of tooth #29. Periodontal surgery and biopsy resulted in a diagnosis of cemental tear. Cemental tears have been rarely reported in the endodontic literature. Case reports of cemental tears have been associated with age, trauma, and traumatic occlusion. With the increasing age of the dental population and longer retention of teeth, clinicians should be aware of this rare entity.