Introduction: This study aimed to report a possible effect of the presence of an adjacent implant on the development of a vertical root fracture (VRF) in endodontically treated teeth.
Methods: A series of 8 cases in 7 patients with teeth diagnosed with VRF after the placement of implants in the adjacent area is described and analyzed. In addition, a comprehensive literature search with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria was undertaken to identify additional clinical studies that assessed this clinical scenario.
Results: The case series analysis revealed that the time from implant placement to the diagnosis of VRF was between 5 and 28 months (average = 11 months). The majority of cases occurred in female patients who received 2 or more implants. Six of the 7 patients were older than 40 years, with an average age of 54 years. The majority of teeth with VRF were premolar or mandibular molar teeth (6/8 teeth). All fractured teeth had been restored with a crown and had a post present, and the quality of the root canal filling was determined to be adequate. The systematic review revealed that implant-associated VRF has not been investigated or reported in the literature yet.
Conclusions: Based on a systematic review of the literature, this case series, although limited in its extent, is the first clinical report of a possible serious adverse event of implant-associated VRF in adjacent endodontically treated teeth. Additional clinical studies are indicated to shed light on this potential phenomenon.
Keywords: Endodontically treated teeth; implant; vertical root fracture.
Copyright © 2016 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.