Acute apical periodontitis and vertical root fracture of the same tooth: a case report.

Vertical root fracture is a frequent complication in endodontically treated teeth and usually leads to extraction of the affected tooth. Differential diagnosis may be difficult, especially in patients with periodontal and endodontic disease. This case report describes the diagnosis and clinical and radiographic features of apical periodontitis and vertical root fracture of the same tooth, which were separated by an interval of several years. Vertical root fracture of the mesial root was diagnosed with the help of an exploratory flap and microscopic observation.