What is the recommended treatment for a tooth with a vertical root fracture and periapical radiolucency?

In the case of a tooth with a vertical root fracture and periapical radiolucency, extraction is the recommended treatment. A vertical root fracture typically leads to significant complications, including an inability to successfully restore the tooth due to the nature of the fracture, which compromises the structural integrity of the tooth and root. The presence of periapical radiolucency indicates that there is an infection or inflammatory response occurring around the root, further complicating the situation.

Root canal therapy may not be viable since the integrity of the root has already been compromised by the fracture, and even if it were performed, it would likely not resolve the infection or pain effectively. Crown placement would also be inappropriate because the tooth cannot function properly due to the fracture, and any restoration would be futile. Observation might seem like a conservative approach, but in cases of vertical root fracture, it can lead to worsening conditions requiring alternative interventions later. Therefore, extracting the compromised tooth is the only definitive treatment to alleviate pain and prevent further complications.