An oblique crown-root fracture of the mesial root of molar with vital pulp – a case study

An oblique crown-root fracture was detected incidentally in the cervical middle third of the mesial root of a non-endodontically treated second lower right molar. Because the tooth was asymptomatic, the pulp responded positively to testing and no periapical pathosis was detected, an endodontic treatment was not indicated. Considering the unusual condition of tooth 47, substantial efforts were made to save tooth 46, which had been extensively destroyed by caries. A control cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquired 12 months after completion of the endodontic treatment of tooth 46 revealed almost complete resolution of the periapical pathosis in the first right molar, no changes in the fracture line and no periradicular radiolucency in the second right molar. The loss of this tooth could have resulted in post-extraction atrophy of the alveolar bone and loss of support for the fractured root of the adjacent tooth.