The relationship of root canal enlargement to finger-spreader induced vertical root fracture.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of lateral condensation forces on the development of vertical root fracture (VRF) in teeth that have undergone controlled, measured internal root reduction (i.e. canal preparation). Thirty-four straight-rooted maxillary anterior teeth were used. For each tooth a simulated PDL was fabricated from a uniform 0.15 mm layer of silicone impression material. The teeth were mounted in resin to facilitate removal for observation. They were radiographed and measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm from the apex. They were prepared with the step-back method so that the canal width was 20% of the total root width at 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm from the apex. They were obturated using a fine finger spreader attached to a jig that produced a static force of 3.3 kg for 15 s after placement of each gp point. Obturation was complete when the spreader did not penetrate apical to 8 mm from the apex. Twenty-four h after obturation the teeth were examined by transillumination for VRF. Teeth not exhibiting VRF were tested further after gp removal and canal enlargement of 30%, 40%, and 50% The teeth were sectioned at 2-mm increments with a diamond wafering saw and examined under stereomicroscope. No VRF occurred at 20% or 30%; 5 teeth fractured at 40% and 7 at 50%. These teeth had root surface craze lines that developed during testing. Craze lines had also developed in all 17 of the remaining unfractured samples. No VRF occurred after testing unless craze lines were previously present.