A vertical root fracture is an absolute indication for tooth extraction. It most often occurs due to excessive thinning of the root walls after endodontic treatment. Because of the insufficient dentin layer after mechanical preparation of the canals, the tooth cannot withstand the load and a longitudinal fracture appears.
The fracture itself is a through and extensive defect, which makes it impossible to ensure the tightness of the tooth; in other words, it becomes a focus of chronic inflammation.
Even though a longitudinal root fracture often shows no symptoms for a long time, a focus of bone resorption of considerable size can develop around the root, which may complicate subsequent implantation in this area after extraction.
Therefore, even in the absence of patient complaints, a tooth with a longitudinal fracture must be removed as soon as possible after it is detected.
