Vertical root fracture in nonendodontically treated teeth.

Vertical root fractures have been reported to occur primarily in endodontically treated teeth due to condensation forces and/or with post placement. This study describes 11 Chinese patients with 12 molars that developed vertical root fractures without endodontic or post procedures. These showed characteristics of a true vertical root fracture as confirmed after extraction. Fractured teeth showed a consistent pattern. The majority were severely attrited mandibular molars in males. All had clinically intact crowns with no or minimal restorations.