Horizontal root fracture in a maxillary central incisor: a case report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Dental trauma, particularly horizontal root fractures, presents complex management challenges.
• Conservative treatment approaches are often considered for dental injuries, balancing intervention with potential outcomes.

Observation:

• An 80-year-old male sustained a horizontal root fracture of his maxillary right central incisor after a fall.
• The fracture resulted in significant root separation (0.60-0.84 mm) and extrusion of the incisal segment.
• The patient presented with facial injury and lip swelling but reported no tooth pain.

Findings:

• Conservative management, including extrusion reduction, local antibiotics, and periodontal medication, was implemented.
• Over an 8-year follow-up, the fractured root demonstrated significant bone repair.
• No signs of abscess or patient discomfort were noted during the extended observation period.

Implications:

• This case highlights that a 'no or minimal treatment' approach can be a viable and successful strategy for specific dental trauma cases.
• Clinicians should consider conservative management for horizontal root fractures, especially when the patient is asymptomatic.
• Long-term follow-up is crucial for evaluating the success of conservative treatment in managing dental root fractures.