What is the initial priority in the treatment of horizontal fractures?

In the treatment of horizontal fractures, the initial priority is immobilization. This is crucial because immobilizing the fractured area helps to stabilize the tooth, allowing for proper healing and preventing further damage. When a tooth experiences a horizontal fracture, the fracture line can potentially affect the tooth's structural integrity and its relationship with surrounding tissues.

By ensuring that the tooth is immobilized, practitioners can minimize the movement at the fracture site, which is essential for the healing process. This approach also allows for any subsequent treatments, such as pulp preservation or root canal treatment, to be carried out more effectively. Immobilization is fundamental in managing dental fractures first to ensure that any additional interventions are successful and that the tooth can recover properly.