A retrospective study on the prognosis of teeth with root fracture in patients during the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy

Teeth with root fracture generally have a poor prognosis requiring extraction; however, some patients do not wish to have these teeth extracted. Dentists do not have enough information regarding the prognosis of teeth with root fracture. This study retrospectively examined the prognosis of teeth with root fracture in the maintenance phase of periodontal treatment and assessed the factors influencing the prognosis of teeth with root fracture. The clinical records of 100 patients, who had entered the maintenance phase of periodontal therapy in a university hospital and had experienced fracture of tooth root, were analyzed. The following parameters were included in the evaluation: age and gender of the subjects, tooth type, restoration and root-filling of the teeth with root fracture, and number of teeth present. Survival probability was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The median survival time (95% confidence interval) was 42 months (22-62 months). Teeth with horizontal fracture had a significantly higher survival probability compared with teeth with vertical fracture. No significant differences were found in the survival probability with regard to gender and tooth type. In conclusion, teeth with horizontal root fracture have a better prognosis compared with teeth with vertical root fracture in patients undergoing periodontal maintenance.