Dental fracture

Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

Dental fractures are often clinically apparent but can be overlooked in the cases of associated facial fractures, especially as root fractures may be clinically occult.

Terminology

When both a tooth and alveolar process are fractured, the term dentoalveolar fracture can be used .

Pathology

Dental fractures can be classified as :

  • crown
  • crown-root
  • root

If the fracture extends through pulp (i.e. root canal) there is an increased risk of devitalization .