Horizontally root fractured teeth with pulpal vitality - two case reports

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Horizontal root fractures are complex dental injuries often affecting permanent incisors.
• Management of such fractures can be challenging, with various treatment modalities proposed.

Observation:

• Two distinct cases of untreated horizontal root fractures in permanent incisors are presented.
• Case 1 involved a 29-year-old patient with a mandibular trauma leading to a fracture in tooth 42.
• Case 2 involved a 17-year-old male with a fracture in tooth 11, discovered during orthodontic evaluation.

Findings:

• Both patients experienced spontaneous healing of their horizontal root fractures.
• Healing was evidenced by the reestablishment of pulp activity and normalization of dental coloration.
• No professional intervention was required for the observed healing process.

Implications:

• These cases suggest that conservative management, or even non-intervention, may lead to favorable outcomes in certain horizontal root fractures.
• Further research is warranted to understand the biological mechanisms underlying spontaneous healing of dental trauma.
• Clinicians should consider the potential for natural healing when formulating treatment plans for horizontal root fractures.