Crown-root fracture without pulp involvement- Treatment Guidelines


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Localization of fracture line

  • The fracture involves the crown and root of the tooth and is in a horizontal or diagonal plane. A radiographic examination usually only reveals the coronal part of the fracture and not the apical portion
  • A cone beam exposure can reveal the whole fracture extension

treatment

Depending on the clinical findings, two treatment scenarios may be considered. Most of these may be deferred to later treatment.

  • Fragment removal only
    If the fracture involves only a small part of the root and the stable fragment is large enough to allow coronal restoration, remove the mobile fragment.
  • Extraction
    Extraction is inevitable in very deep crown-root fractures, the extreme being a vertical fracture. Care must be taken to prevent trauma to the subjacent tooth bud.

Patient instructions

Soft food for 10-14 days.

Good healing following an injury to the teeth and oral tissues depends, in part, on good oral hygiene. Brush with a soft brush after every meal and apply chlorhexidine 0.1 % topically to the affected area with cotton swabs twice a day for one week. This is beneficial to prevent accumulation of plaque and debris along with recommending a soft diet.

Parents should be further advised about possible complications that may occur, like swelling, increased mobility or fistula. Children may not complain about pain; however, infection may be present and parents should watch for signs of swelling of the gums and bring the child in for treatment.

Follow-up

Clinical control after 3-4 weeks.

©Dental Trauma Guide 2010 - produced in cooperation with the Resource Centre for Rare Oral Diseases and Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery
at the University Hospital of Copenhagen - Last edited the 7-11-2011. Blue Color Coding indicates that the information is not currenly part of the IADT Guidelines