Vertical Root Fracture Extraction — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Tooth with a vertical root fracture extending below the alveolar crest
A vertical root fracture (VRF) extending below the alveolar crest is generally considered an indication for extraction because the fracture line allows bacterial contamination of the fracture site, leading to progressive bone loss and infection that cannot be resolved by endodontic treatment alone. Clinical signs include a narrow, isolated deep probing depth (J-shaped or tear-drop-shaped), persistent sinus tract adjacent to a root-treated tooth, and a halo-type radiolucency on radiograph. Limited evidence exists for treating selected VRFs with bioceramics, but extraction remains the standard recommendation.
Reference: Torabinejad – Endodontics: Principles and Practice, 6th ed., 2021