Since the advent of implants, many teeth compromised by resorption, root perforations or root fractures have been considered by some clinicians to be preferably treated by extraction and implant therapy. While many factors must be considered when assessing a patient, such as general health and socio-economic factors, decisions regarding treatment alternatives must also be made on the basis of expected long term results.

Root fractures may be transverse (intra-alveolar), crown/root, and vertical and an understanding of the tissue responses to each type of fracture is critical to clinical decisions. This presentation will not only challenge an implant biased approach to the management of many root fractures, but will also provide indications where implant therapy can be employed to advantage.

Biography

Geoffrey Heithersay has been a part time member of the School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide since 1962 and is currently Clinical Professor in Endodontics. He practised as a Specialist Endodontist in Adelaide from1967- 2002 and continues to be actively involved in clinical research and teaching in the undergraduate and graduate programmes. A deep clinical interest in dental trauma and tooth resorption led to a concentration of research over the past 35 years into invasive cervical resorption and its management, and a thesis based on this research and associated endodontic studies was accepted for the senior Doctorate Degree of Dental Science of The University of Adelaide in 2001. He has 61 published works, has been a co-author in three Textbook chapters and has produced 28 teaching videos.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for endodontic education in 1998 and was the recipient of the Louis Grossman award of the American Association of Endodontists for research in 2000. In 2009 he received three awards for excellence in teaching; the Faculty of Health Sciences Executive Dean’s award, The Stephen Cole the Elder award and The University of Adelaide’s Vice Chancellor’s award.