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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Healing of horizontal root fractures
J A Herweijer1, M Torabinejad, L K Bakland
1Department of Endodontics, State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Journal of Endodontics
|February 4, 2009
Summary
This study on fractured monkey teeth shows that most root fractures heal with connective or mineralized tissue from the periodontal ligament. However, some healed teeth had reduced canal spaces and pulp changes, while one showed necrosis and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Periodontology
- Oral surgery
Background:
- Root fractures are a common dental injury.
- Understanding healing mechanisms is crucial for treatment.
- Previous studies have explored various splinting techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the healing process of intentionally fractured tooth roots in a primate model.
- To evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and histological outcomes of root fractures treated with rigid splinting.
Main Methods:
- Six anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth in three monkeys underwent intentional root fracturing.
- Teeth were rigidly splinted for 12 weeks.
- Healing was assessed over 6 months using clinical, radiographic, and histological examinations.
Main Results:
- Five out of six fractured root sites demonstrated healing, characterized by dense connective tissue or mineralized hard tissue originating from the periodontal ligament.
- Healed teeth exhibited significant reduction in canal spaces due to calcific deposits, with vital pulp but areas lacking odontoblastic layers.
- One fracture site failed to heal, showing necrotic pulp in both apical and coronal segments and inflammatory cell infiltration.
Conclusions:
- Rigid splinting can promote healing of fractured tooth roots in primates.
- Root fracture healing may lead to significant changes in root canal morphology and pulp vitality.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications of these healing processes.
