Intra-alveolar root fracture in primary teeth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of long-term resin wire splinting in the management and prognosis of intra-alveolar root fracture (IARF) in the primary teeth.

METHODS

The study population comprised 10 patients with 16 root fractures in their primary anterior teeth. Based on the trauma chart and radiographs, the data were organized and collected according to: age; gender; injured tooth; clinical appearance and location of IARF; splinting period; resorption rate of fractured fragment; and follow-up period.

RESULTS

Based on the information obtained in an inquiry, the mean age of the subjects was approximately 44.3 months old and root fractures occurred 2.3 times more often in males than females. IARF in the primary teeth usually occurred in the middle area. The mean splinting-period was 5.1 weeks, and all teeth were followed up for a long-term period lasting between 14 and 36 months. Total resorption of the fractured root fragment was observed within 10 months.

CONCLUSION

The root-fractured primary teeth can be maintained by reduction of tooth mobility and immobilization with a semi-rigid splint.