Treatment of horizontal root fractured central incisors and 30 months follow up: 2 case reports

Abstract

Background Horizontal root fractures are rare in comparison to other types of injuries and according to the literature account for between 0.2% - 7% of all traumatic tooth injuries. Case reports Case 1: A 12-year-old girl was referred to our clinic with a complaint of tenderness and mobility as a result of an orofacial injury in her permanent upper left central incisor. A horizontal fracture was diagnosed on the middle third of the root during radiographic examination. Case 2: A 12-year-old boy was referred to our clinic with an injury to his upper left central incisor. During radiographic examination a horizontal fracture was diagnosed on the middle third of the root. Semirigid splints were applied to the teeth for 4 weeks without further treatment in both of the cases and they were followed-up for 30 months. At the end of the 30th month, the teeth were vital and they had no clinical signs nor symptoms. Also the radiographic examination showed healing with hard tissue in the fracture line for both of the cases. Conclusion Using semi-rigid splints without any further treatment resulted with hard tissue healing in both of the cases and was successful for the treatment of horizontal root fractures.