Eur Endod J. 2019; 4(1): 45-48 | DOI: 10.14744/eej.2018.14622

Clinical and Histological Findings of Post-Treatment Infection in the Presence of Vertical Root Fracture and Apical Periodontitis: Case Reports

Luciano Giardino¹, Nicola M. Grande², Paolo Savadori³, Massimo Del Fabbro⁴, Gianluca Plotino^5
1Freelance Researcher, Crotone, Italy
²School of Dentistry, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Catanzaro; Private Practice, Grande Plotino and Torsello Studio di Odontoiatria, Rome, Italy
³IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy
⁴IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan; Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
⁵Private Practice, Grande Plotino and Torsello Studio di Odontoiatria, Rome, Italy

Apical periodontitis and vertical root fracture (VRF) might coexist in the same root, thus representing a diagnostic challenge in endodontics. Diagnosis should be based on detailed clinical examination and precise radiographic interpretation in addition to histological examination, if needed. The histological findings of the case presented showed the possible coexistence of a VRF in the coronal third of the root and signs of apical periodontitis caused by intracanal infection in the apical third of the same root. The presentation of this case underlines the importance of histological examination as a valid complementary diagnostic tool with clinical and radiographic examinations in reaching an accurate diagnosis once the root has been extracted.

Keywords: Apical periodontitis, histological examination, instrumentation and rotary, root canal, vertical root fracture

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