Session
Dr. Matthew Kinstler
Course description
In the modern endodontic landscape, the way we discuss cracked and fractured teeth is fundamentally broken. This lecture begins by challenging the existing nomenclature, arguing that our current semantics are not just confusing — they are failing both the referring dentist and the patient. By misclassifying these conditions, we often lead clinicians toward unpredictable outcomes or unnecessary extractions.
Once a firm semantic and diagnostic foundation is set, the lecture shifts to the “how-to” of tooth retention. We will explore treatment modalities for teeth often deemed “hopeless,” from advanced restorative protocols for cracked teeth to the “lost arts” of hemisection and root amputation. Finally, we will dive into the nuances of autotransplantation, positioning it as a viable, biological alternative to dental implants for managing fractured roots.
Objectives
- Define and apply precise terminology for structural tooth defects, distinguishing between cracks and vertical root fractures (VRFs).
- Improve diagnostic accuracy for cracked and fractured teeth by using clinical testing, imaging, and prioritizing direct visualization when possible.
- Differentiate key clinical entities: crown cracks (± pulpal involvement), crown-to-root cracks, and VRFs, and understand how they influence prognosis.
- Evaluate and apply treatment techniques for cracks and VRFs, including restorative strategies, endodontic and surgical approaches, root resection, and autotransplantation when appropriate.
Expect to learn
- Better language for discussing cracked and fractured teeth.
- Best practices for diagnosing cracked and fractured teeth.
- Non-surgical and surgical salvage of cracked teeth and fractured roots: restorative techniques for cracked teeth; root resection and autotransplantation for fractured roots.
