The Prevalence of Root Fractures among Patients Visiting a Specialised Tertiary Care Dental Care Clinic

INTRODUCTION: Following endodontic therapy, the development of root fracture(s) is considered to be a risk factor. It can be diagnosed accurately with the help of various radiographic aids. AIM: To assess the prevalence of horizontal and vertical root fractures among endodontically treated teeth among patients visiting a specialised tertiary care dental care clinic. METHODOLOGY: Patients suspected of having root fracture (due to endodontic treatment or non-endodontic treatment) were confirmed with the help of radiographic aids (IOPAR, OPG and occlusal radiographs). Root fractures due to endodontic treatment were then classified as horizontal and vertical root factures and analysed using the student's t-test, ANOVA and odd's ratio (OR). Data was analysed using SPSS version 21.0 RESULTS: The study population comprised of 383 subjects. Males (207, 54%) formed a majority of the study population. Majority of fractures were seen in females [(162, 58.5%), endodontically treated teeth], while a slightly increased prevalence was seen among males (92, 86.8%) in non-endodontically treated teeth. A total of 277(72.3%) teeth were endodontically treated [155(55.9%) horizontal and 122(44.1%) vertical fracture], while 106(27.7%) were 155 non-endodontically treated teeth [63(59.4%) horizontal and 43(40.6%) vertical fracture]. A significance difference between horizontal and vertical root fractures [p=.005(t-test), p=.0025(ANOVA)] was seen. Odd's ratio analysis revealed that horizontal fractures (OR=2.2) were more prone to develop as compared to vertical fractures. CONCLUSION: Owing to the fact that endodontically treated teeth are more brittle as compared to non-endodontically treated teeth, it is advised that the dental clinician should closely routinely follow- up endodontically treated teeth for signs of root fracture and confirm with a radiographical aid when such fractures are suspected.