A patient has pain that WORSENS when they release their bite and is RELIEVED when they bite down. A sinus tract at the furcation is traced with GP. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Correct answer: C. Furcation fracture (vertical root fracture)

• A. ❌ Periapical pathology typically causes pain ON biting, not specifically on RELEASING bite.
• B. ❌ Perio-endo abscess causes different pain pattern and does not specifically explain the pain-on-release phenomenon.
• C. ✅ Correct. Pain on RELEASE of biting (not on biting down) = CRACK/FRACTURE component. The crack opens on release, activating nociceptors. Sinus tract traced to furcation = fracture at the furcation level. This is FURCATION (VERTICAL ROOT) FRACTURE.
• D. ❌ Apical fracture typically causes pain on biting — not specifically relief on biting with pain on release.