True vertical root fracture (VRF) in nonendodontically treated teeth confined to the root surface (fatigue root fracture; FRF) is apparently uncommon, the few documented reports being Chinese. The aim of this study is to analyze the cases of a fatigue root fracture and to find out the characteristic features of teeth with a FRF. A total of 21 consecutive cases of fatigue root fracture occurring in 16 patients were reviewed. In terms of the occlusion, the presence of restorations, the location, the age and gender, each tooth and patient were analyzed. The prevalent age was in those over 50 years of age (75%) and FRFs were more frequent in male patients (69%). Fatigue root fractures occurred most frequently in the mandibular molars (61.9%; 42.9% in first molar, 19% in second molar). Fatigue root fractures were observed most frequently in the teeth with no restorations (85.7%) and in the patients with occlusal problems (94%). FRFs seem to occur frequently and may represent an undiagnosed clinical entity deserving of our attention.