Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis

Suwanalai Kanchit, Aunmeungtong Weerapan

Published Online: Sep 30, 2021 DOI 10.14456/cmdj.2021.10

The diagnosis of vertical root fracture (VRF) has been discussed as a difficult and complicate issue to make the definitive diagnosis. With the using of a new modality image diagnosis, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), it may help to identify the VRF. The purpose of the study was to describe the CBCT findings of the VRF and relevant clinical findings. Nine patients with tentative diagnosis of VRF were included in the report. All patients were sent for CBCT. Most of the CBCT clearly showed peri-radicular lesion.­­ Together with the periapical film and clinical findings, the diagnosis of VRF could be made. All the extracted teeth showed the VRF. CBCT is helpful to confirm the VRF when using with the conventional periapical film and clinical symptoms

cone beam computed tomography root canal treated tooth vertical root fracture

1. American Association of Endodontists (1997). Cracking the cracked tooth code; Endodontics. AAE Colleagues for Excellence. 1–13.

2. Haueisen H, Gӓrtner K, Kaiser L, Trohorsch D, Heidemann D.Vertical root fracture: prevalence, etiology, and diagnosis. Quintessence Int. 2013;44;467–74.

3. Fuss Z, Lustig J, Tamse A. Prevalence of vertical root fractures in extracted endodontically treated teeth. Int Endod J. 1999;32:283–6.

4. Coppens CRM, DeMoor RJG. Prevalence of vertical root fractures in extracted endodontically treated teeth. Int Endod J. 2003;36:926.

5. Kositbowornchai S, Nuansakul R, Sikram S. Root fracture detection: a comparison of direct digital radiography with conventional radiography. Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2001;30:106–9.

6. Byakova S, Novozhilova N. The accuracy of CBCT for the detection and diagnosis of vertical root fractures in vivo. Int Endod J. 2019;52:1255-63.

7. Hargreaves KM, Cohen S, Berman HL. Pathways of the Pulp. 10th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier, 2011.

8. Angelopoulos C, Scarfe WC, Farman AG. A comparison of maxillofacial CBCT and medical CT. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2012;20:1–17.

9. Chang E, Lam E, Shah P. Cone-beam Computed Tomography for Detecting Vertical Root Fractures in Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Systematic Review. J Endod. 2016;42(2):177-85.

10. Tamse A. Vertical root fractures in endodontically treated teeth: diagnostic signs and clinical management. Endodontic Topics. 2006: 13, 84–94.

11. Walton RE. Vertical root fracture factors related to identification. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148:100–5.

12. Kinney JH, Nalla RK, Pople JA, Breunig TM, Ritchie RO. Age-related transparent root dentin: mineral concentration, crystallite size, and mechanical properties. Biomaterials. 2005;26:3363–76.

13. Mireku AS, Romberg E, Fouad AF, Arola D. Vertical fracture of root filled teeth restored with posts: the effects of patient age and dentine thickness. Int Endod J. 2010;43:218–25.

14. Yan W, Montoya C, Øilo M, Ossa A, Paranjpe A, Zhang H, Arola D. Reduction in Fracture Resistance of the Root with Aging. J Endod. 2017;43:1494–8.

15. Chavda R, Mannocci F, Andiappan M, Patel S. Comparing the in vivo diagnostic accuracy of digital periapical radiography with cone-beam computed tomography for the detection of vertical root fracture. J Endod. 2014; 40:1524–9.


Suwanalai K, Aunmeungtong W. Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis: A case reports/series. CM Dent J [Internet]. 2021 Sep 30 [cited 2024 Nov 18];42(3):95-102. Available from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=39

Suwanalai, K. & Aunmeungtong, W. (2021). Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis. CM Dent J, 42(3), 95-102. Retrieved from: https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=39

Suwanalai, K., and Aunmeungtong Weerapan. 2021. "Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis." CM Dent J, 42(3), 95-102. https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=39

Suwanalai, K. et al. 2021. 'Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis', CM Dent J, 42(3), 95-102. Retrieved from https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=39

Suwanalai, K. and Aunmeungtong, W. "Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis", CM Dent J, vol.42, no. 3, pp. 95-102, Sep. 2021.

Suwanalai Kanchit, Aunmeungtong Weerapan "Vertical Root Fracture Findings from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography: A Serial Case Analysis." CM Dent J, vol.42, no. 3, Sep. 2021, pp. 95-102, https://www.dent.cmu.ac.th/cmdj/frontend/web/?r=site/viewarticle&id=39