*Dr. Gagan Makkar
**Dr. Vinay Verma
The Journal
Vertical Root Fracture (VRF) : A DIAGNOSTIC
CHALLENGE
Vertical root fracture (vrf) have been described as longitudinally oriented fractures of the
root,extending from the root canal to periodontium, diagnosis and management of vertical root
fracture is challening task for clinician. Prognosis most often is hopeless and differential diagnosis
from other pathologies may be difficult at times. This review emphasizes about the etiology, diagnosis
,management of vrfs.
Introduction It may involve whole length of root or section of
it. One or both sides of root may be involved.
The third most common cause of tooth loss is
tooth fracture .It may be crown fractures, crown-
root fractures or root fractures. However
clinically challenging are the cases of root
fractures as their management may involve an
interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary treatment
approach. Teeth that morpho-logically present roots with
mesiodistal flattening and undergo endodontic
therapy are considered the most susceptible to
a VRF occurrence. They usually occur in older
patients in posterior teeth due to iatrogenic
causes.
Root fractures are defined as fractures
involving the dentine, cementum and pulp. They
comprise 0.5 to 7% of the injuries affecting the
permanent dentition and commonly occur
between the age group of 11 to 20 years.
Root fractures can be broadly classified as
> Horizontal (transverse); or
> Vertical.
Vertical root fractures (VRF) VRF has been
described as longitudinally oriented fractures of
root extending from root canal to periodontium.
They usually run along the long axis of the tooth
or may deviate in a mesial or distal direction.
The fracture line extends through the long axis
of the root towards the apex. The prevalence of
VRF ranges from 2–5% of root fractures. The
prevalence of VRFs is 52% in maxillary and
mandibular premolars, followed by the mesial
roots of mandibular molars (24%), maxillary
and mandibular central and lateral incisors
(14%) and the mesiobuccal and palatal roots of
the maxillary molars(10%). buccolingual
orientataion of root fractures is more common
than mesio distal.
Vertical root fractures (VRFs) may affect any
human tooth, either vital or non-vital.
* MDS, Prosthodontist and Implantologist
** FAD, New York University
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Vol. 13
12 No. 2
3
May-August
Sept-Dec 2016
May-August
2016
2017