Management of a horizontal root fracture after previous root canal therapy

This case report concerns a 9-year-old girl who had a horizontal root fract ure of her maxillary left central incisor and had root canal therapy perfor med by her family dentist immediately after the injury. Because of the inco mplete canal obturation, the root canal filling material was removed, and c alcium hydroxide therapy was initiated. Healing at the fracture site occurr ed, with hard tissue forming between the root segments. The coronal segment of the root was then obturated with guttapercha. The patient later had ort hodontic treatment with some movement of the coronal segment. Six-year post -treatment follow-up shows apparent clinical and radiographic success. This case illustrates the potential for repair of a horizontal root fracture af ter endodontic retreatment of the coronal segment and long-term splinting.