[Vertical root fracture--case report and clinical evaluation].

It is observed at the Dental OPD that some of the patients suffer from toothache are due to tooth fracture. Of the various types of tooth fracture, it is noted that vertical root fracture of molars which have never undergone endodontic treatment has rarely been reported. It is suggested that x-ray examination is the best diagnostic tool as it would show a certain section of the abnormally large root canal. This will indicate a fracture in the root. As the fractured root is mostly very poor in prognosis, the tooth in question should be extracted or it can be treated with root amputation or hemisection to eradicate the fractured root. Three cases of vertical root fracture are reported. The intent of this paper is to probe such cases, the means of diagnosis, and their treatments in clinical practices. Dental colleagues are thus advised to take into consideration the possibility of vertical root fracture whenever patients complain about toothache without any apparent cause.