Cracks involving enamel and dentin are a common finding in contemporary dental practice and often present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This lecture begins with a practical clinical classification of cracked teeth and an overview of the biological events occurring within dentin and the underlying pulp. Bacterial invasion of dentinal tubules and the resulting pulpal inflammatory responses will be briefly discussed to provide the biological basis for treatment decisions.
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For teeth requiring root canal treatment, contemporary treatment protocols designed to maximize tooth preservation will be critically analyzed. Particular attention will be given to the role of cuspal protection in preventing crack propagation into the root and improving long-term outcomes. Through the presentation of clinical cases followed over extended periods, the lecture will demonstrate the opportunities and limitations of current treatment strategies and will emphasize that the long-term prognosis of cracked non-vital teeth remains guarded, with some cases progressing to catastrophic vertical root fractures.
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Dr. Domenico Ricucci received his degree in General Medicine from "La Sapienza" University of Rome in 1982, and his DDS from the same University in 1985. Since then on he has maintained private dental practices limited to endodontics. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Ricucci was Professor of Cariology at "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Italy in 2002 -2003. He served in the Research Committee of the European Society of Endodontology from 1999 to 2005. Dr. Ricucci's primary research interest relates to pulpal and periapical tissue reactions to caries and treatment procedures, vital pulp therapy (VPT), biofilms in endodontic infections, etiology of RTC treatment failure, pulp regeneration/revascularization. Since 1998 he has run his own histology laboratory and has developed considerable skills in hard tissue preparations for light microscopy. Dr Ricucci has published more than 100 papers and has lectured both nationally and internationally. He has authored the Textbook and Atlas "Endodontology". An integrated biological and clinical view". He has also a founder and a scientific director of the international endodontic project Endo Sapiens.