Endodontic procedures can have the same success rate as implants when proper techniques are used.

That said, reinfections after endodontic procedures can be frustrating. While missed canals, improper canal cleaning and obturation are causes for failure, coronal leakage and root fractures are the source of most endodontic failures.

Proper hygiene and well-fabricated restorations can help prevent coronal leakage, but root fractures can be a real enigma. Excessive canal enlargement and obturation forces are significant contributors to root fractures. Often unrecognized root fractures are present even prior to endodontic treatment.

Early recognition of root fractures is very important. Undiagnosed, a root fracture can not only cause failure of the endodontic treatment, it can also be responsible for extensive periradicular bone loss, which can compromise a future implant in the area. Diagnostic prowess and good radiographic assessments are paramount in determining if a root fracture is present, especially prior to endodontic treatment.

[STUDY CLUB MODULE: Dr. Berman discusses the various clinical and radiographic presentations of root fractures, how the diagnosis is made, the prognosis assessment of teeth having or suspected of having root fractures and how the root fractures can be managed.]

Let’s start with a pre-treatment assessment and a few simple concepts from the dental literature. The most common tooth in the mouth for vertical root fractures is the lower second molar. Therefore, before considering endodontic treatment — especially on a lower second molar — use some common-sense diagnostic tools and be aware of findings in the dental literature.

The most common place to see a root fracture is on the marginal ridges, especially the distal marginal ridge. Good magnification and transillumination are helpful. In a case whereby the pulp is non-vital, the clinician should always ask: “Why is that pulp non-vital?”

Consider a situation whereby the pulp is non-vital, with or without radiographic evidence of periapical bone loss. Was there gross caries or a large restoration in the tooth? What if there was no restoration or caries in the tooth? If that were the case, why was the pulp non-vital?

This is a consideration that should point the clinician to consider that the cause is a vertical root fracture. The root might not be “split” and the clinician might not be able to visualize the fracture, but in the absence of any other observed etiology, the clinician should consider that a root fracture is present and that the prognosis for the pending endodontic treatment might not be favorable.

This is known as “fracture necrosis.” Figures 1A-1C highlight an undiagnosed root fracture in the lower second molar. Note non-vital pulp with periapical/periradicular bone loss and no restoration or caries. The clinician should question why the pulp became non-vital. With no other objective etiology, a vertical root fracture should be considered.

Radiographs and especially CBCT are valuable diagnostic tools for determining the presence of a root fracture. Unfortunately, unless the fracture is wider than about 0.15mm (the tip of a #15 endodontic file), it cannot be visualized in the CBCT scan. There are some strong associations between radiographic findings and the presence of a root fracture. Specifically, when the bone loss presents in a “J” shaped pattern, it is highly suggestive that a root fracture is present.

Figure 1A: Pre-treatment radiograph of a virgin tooth with pulp necrosis.
Figure 1B: Radiograph of the endodontic treatment of the virgin tooth.
Figure 1C: Six-month post-endodontic treatment showing extensive periapical and periradicular bone loss, especially in the area of the furcation. Sinus tract now present.

Often this can be seen on a two-dimensional periapical radiograph with the bony lesion typically extending from the apex to the crestal bone, sometimes resulting in a deep and narrow isolated periodontal pocket. This pocket sometimes cannot be probed because it occurs in the interproximal area. Taking radiographs in the lower second molars can be challenging, especially with patient compliance (sometimes the tooth is “way back there” and may be uncomfortable for the patient).

Consider this: lower second molars are typically positioned in the cancellous bone, almost directly in the middle of the buccal and lingual cortical bony plates. When pulp necrosis becomes infected, the subsequent bone loss is only observed on a periapical radiograph when the bone loss reaches the junction of the cancellous and cortical bone. This makes the radiographic diagnosis of pulp necrosis difficult, especially for the lower second molar. That’s where CBCT can be essential in determining periapical or periradicular bone loss (see Figures 2A-2B).

Figure 2A: Radiograph of tooth with a root fracture, but not observed in the periapical radiograph.
Figure 2B: Same tooth with a CBCT scan showing periradicular bone loss from the crestal bone to the apex, being highly suggestive of a vertical root fracture.

Endodontic procedures are performed to remove diseased pulp and promote periapical healing. The root canal procedure ultimately provides the foundation for a final restoration. The endodontic treatment and subsequent full coverage restoration can be expensive for the patient. Therefore, proper pre-treatment assessment is imperative.

Often the undiagnosed root fracture can cause the endodontic treatment to fail even before the endodontic treatment is initiated. Proper pre-treatment diagnosis, common-sense and clinician intuition will help the patient avoid unnecessary treatment by recognizing root fractures in their earliest stages.

Louis H. Berman, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., is a member of Spear Resident Faculty. He serves as an instructor in the “Mastering the Exceptional Specialist Practice — Endodontists” workshop and develops endodontics content for the Spear learning ecosystem.


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