Cemental tear on a mandibular second molar: a case report.

A cemental tear is a special kind of root fracture that may cause rapid and localized periodontal destruction. Most cemental tears have been reported on bicuspids and incisors. Here we present a case of cemental tears on both the right mandibular first and second molars. The patient was a 72-year-old man who showed gingival swelling and a deep pocket over his right mandibular second molar as well as a deep periodontal pocket on the distolingual aspect of the first molar. During exploratory flap surgery, a detached root fragment on the mesial side of the second molar and a small root fragment on the lingual surface of the first molar were found and removed for biopsy. After histopathological examination, both root fragments were confirmed to be cemental tears. The periodontal defects were treated by osseous grafting and guided tissue regeneration. A postoperative probing depth of 4 mm on the second molar was recorded at 3 months and remained stable for 5 years. Where marked periapical and periodontal bony destruction are present, a cemental tear should be considered as a possible diagnosis, even in the molar teeth, for early treatment to improve prognosis.