Characteristics of root fractures: Image on intraoral radiography, panoramic radiography, and cone-beam computed tomography

Background/Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic method of root fracture, and to investigate the characteristics of root fractures. Methods We reviewed the CBCT images of 45 patients with root fracture. The frequency of diagnosable and impossible to diagnosis on root fracture tooth was counted at first for each radiography technique (intraoral radiography, panoramic radiography, and CBCT). Six characteristics that were considered to influence the occurrence of root fracture were investigated. Diagnostic propriety of root fracture was analyzed by cross-tabulation. Statistical analysis of each characteristic of root fractures was performed by chi(2) test. Results The diagnostic propriety was different by radiography (P < .001). The occurrence of root fracture was different by pulpal vitality (P < .001). The frequency of root fracture was smaller at the tooth with a history of trauma (P < .001). The frequency of root fracture was larger at posterior teeth in comparison with anterior teeth (P = .025). State of root fracture was not different between vertical fracture and horizontal fracture (P = .053). The frequency of the occurrence of root fracture was smaller at caries tooth (P = .014). There was no statistically significant difference among cast core, composite resin core, and no core to the occurrence of root fracture (P = .828). Conclusions It was indicated that CBCT was useful for the diagnosis of root fracture. These results suggested that pulpal vitality and position of tooth influenced the occurrence of root fracture, but core construction was not influenced the occurrence of root fracture.