Root fortification

Abstract

An incompletely formed tooth is left with thin dentin walls and experiences a higher incidence of cervical root fracture that reduces the long-term overall prognosis of the tooth. Faced with these situations, clinicians have attempted to use various restorative methods to reinforce the remaining root. Various techniques have been reported, and the scientific evidence for each has been reviewed. The biomechanical considerations of reinforcing a weakened root are also reviewed, and the most current information about failure analysis, fracture characteristics of natural dentin, and in vitro test configurations used have been considered. In light of these additional considerations, some recommendations for future understanding of this complex problem have been proposed.