Definition: A coronal (crown) fracture is a fracture of the coronal portion of the tooth. This is commonly caused by trauma to the oral cavity but can also be due to caries.
Radiographic Features:
Location: Can be associated with any tooth. Single cusped teeth are more commonly effected. The maxillary incisors are more common than the mandibular incisors.
Edge: The crown will have a sharp line with a portion of the crown not present.
Shape: Altered shape of the crown of the tooth.
Internal: Radiolucent area where tooth structure is missing.
Other: None.
Number: Can be either single or multiple.
(click image to enlarge)
Coronal fracture maxillary right central incisor (#8)
(left – with arrow) (right – without arrow)
Coronal fracture
(both the central incisors are fractured)
Coronal fracture
(Note the missing portion of the mandibular left lateral incisor (#26) near the mesio-incisal edge)
Coronal fracture
(note the sharp line through the maxillary right second premolar (#4) creating a radiolucent crown as only one cusp fractured)
