[Transient apical breakdown after dental trauma: clinical features and therapeutic decisions].

Transient apical breakdown (TAB) may occur after dental trauma, which is manifested by obvious radiolucent shadows at the root apex of the affected tooth on X-ray examination within a certain period after trauma, or persistent widening of the periodontal ligament space for a long time after trauma. However, it can resolve spontaneously without intervention. At present, research on TAB is relatively limited, and clinicians have insufficient understanding of it, which may easily lead to misdiagnosis as apical periodontitis and thus unnecessary endodontic treatment. In view of this, this article intends to discuss the occurrence of TAB, related influencing factors, characteristic imaging findings, diagnostic methods and possible mechanisms, aiming to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment and reduce misdiagnosis and mistreatment.