Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS)[2] is where a tooth has incompletely cracked but no part of the tooth has yet broken off. Sometimes it is described as a greenstick fracture.[1] The symptoms are very variable, making it a notoriously difficult condition to diagnose.
Contents
1Classification and definition
2Signs and symptoms
3Pathophysiology
4Diagnosis
5Epidemiology
6Treatments
7History
8References
9External links
Classification and definition
Cracked tooth syndrome could be considered a type of dental trauma and also one of the possible causes of dental pain. One definition of cracked tooth syndrome is "a fracture plane of unknown depth and direction passing through tooth structure that, if not already involving, may progress to communicate with the pulp and/or periodontal ligament."[1]
Signs and symptoms
Tooth crack in the upper first molar tooth in a patient who suffers from bruxism.
The reported symptoms are very variable,[2] and frequently have been present for many months before the condition is diagnosed.[1] Reported symptoms may include some of the following:
Sharp pain[1] when biting on a certain tooth,[2] which may get worse if the applied biting force is increased.[1] Sometimes the pain on biting occurs when the food being chewed is soft with harder elements, e.g. seeded bread.[2]
"Rebound pain" i.e. sharp, fleeting pain occurring when the biting force is released from the tooth,[1] which may occur when eating fibrous foods.
Pain when grinding the teeth backward and forward and side to side.[1]
Sharp pain when drinking cold beverages or eating cold foods, lack of pain with heat stimuli.[1]
Pain when eating or drinking sugary substances.[1]
Sometimes the pain is well localized, and the individual is able to determine the exact tooth from which the symptoms are originating, but not always.[1]
If the crack propagates into the pulp, irreversible pulpitis, pulpal necrosis and periapical periodontitis may develop, with the respective associated symptoms.[1]
Pathophysiology
CTS is typically characterized by pain when releasing biting pressure on an object. This is because when biting down the segments are usually moving apart and thereby reducing the pressure in the nerves in the dentin of the tooth. When the bite is released the "segments" snap back together sharply increasing the pressure in the intradentin nerves causing pain. The pain is often inconsistent, and frequently hard to reproduce. If untreated, CTS can lead to severe pain, possible pulpal death, abscess, and even the loss of the tooth.
If the fracture propagates into the pulp, this is termed a complete fracture, and pulpitis and pulp death may occur.
If the crack propagates further into the root, a periodontal defect may develop, or even a vertical root fracture.[1]
According to one theory, the pain on biting is caused by the 2 fractured sections of the tooth moving independently of each other, triggering sudden movement of fluid within the dentinal tubules.[1] This activates A-type nociceptors in the dentin-pulp complex, reported by the pulp-dentin complex as pain. Another theory is that the pain upon cold stimuli results from leak of noxious substances via the crack, irritating the pulp.[1]
Diagnosis
Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS) was defined as 'an incomplete fracture of a vital posterior tooth that involves the dentine and occasionally extends to the pulp' by Cameron in 1964 and more recently has included 'a fracture plane of unknown depth and direction passing through tooth structure that, if not already involving, may progress to communicate with the pulp and/or periodontal ligament'.[3] The diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome is notoriously difficult even for experienced clinicians.[2] The features are highly variable and may mimic sinusitis, temporomandibular disorders, headaches, ear pain, or atypical facial pain/atypical odontalgia (persistent idiopathic facial pain).[2] When diagnosing cracked tooth syndrome, a dentist takes many factors into consideration. Effective management and good prognosis of cracked teeth is linked to prompt diagnosis. A detailed history may reveal pain on release of pressure when eating or sharp pain when consuming cold food and drink. There are a variety of habits which predispose patients to CTS including chewing ice, pens and hard sweets etc. Recurrent occlusal adjustment of restorations due to discomfort may also be indicative of CTS, alongside a history of extensive dental treatment. Below different techniques used for diagnosing CTS are discussed.
Clinical examination
Cracks are difficult to see during a clinical exam which may limit diagnosis. However other clinical signs which may lead to the diagnosis of CTS includes wear faceting indicating excessive forces perhaps from clenching or grinding or the presence of an isolated deep periodontal pocket which may symbolise a split tooth. Removing restorations may help to visualise fracture lines but should only be carried out after gaining informed consent from the patient, as removing a restoration may prove to be of little diagnostic benefit. Tactile examination with a sharp probe may also aid diagnosis.
Gentian Violet or Methylene Blue Stains
Dyes may be used to aid visualisation of fractures. The technique requires 2–5 days to be effective and a temporary restoration may be required. The structural integrity can be weakened by this method, leading to crack propagation.
Transillumination
Transillumination is best performed by placing a fibre optic light source directly onto the tooth and optimal results can be achieved with the aid of magnification. Cracks involving dentine interrupt the light transmission. However, transillumination may cause cracks to appear enlarged as well as causing colour changes to become invisible.
Radiographs
Radiographs offer little benefit in visualising cracks. This is due to the fact that cracks propagate in a direction which is parallel to the plane of the film (Mesiodistal) however radiographs can be useful when examining the periodontal and pulpal status.
Bite Test
Different tools can be used when carrying out a bite test which produce symptoms associated with cracked tooth syndrome. Patients bite down followed by sudden release of pressure. CTS diagnosis is confirmed by pain on release of pressure. The involved cusp can be determined by biting on individual cusps separately. Tooth Slooth II (Professional Results Inc., Laguna Niguel, CA, USA) and Fractfinder (Denbur, Oak Brook, IL, USA) are commercially available tools.
Epidemiology
[4] Aetiology of CTS is multifactorial, the causative factors include:
previous restorative procedures.
occlusal factors; patients who suffer from bruxism, or clenching are prone to have cracked teeth.
others, e.g., aging dentition or presence of lingual tongue studs.
Most commonly involved teeth are mandibular molars followed by maxillary premolars, maxillary molars and maxillary premolars. in a recent audit, mandibular first molar thought to be most affected by CTS possibly due to the wedging effect of opposing pointy, protruding maxillary mesio-palatal cusp onto the mandibular molar central fissure. Studies have also found signs of cracked teeth following the cementation of porcelain inlays; it is suggested that the debonding of intracoronal restorations may be caused by unrecognized cracks in the tooth.[5]
Treatments
There is no universally accepted treatment strategy, but, generally, treatments aim to prevent movement of the segments of the involved tooth so they do not move or flex independently during biting and grinding and so the crack is not propagated.[6]
Stabilization (core buildup) (a composite bonded restoration placed in the tooth or a band is placed around the tooth to minimize flexing)
Crown restoration (to do the same as above but more permanently and predictably)
Root Canal therapy (if pain persists after above)
Extraction
History
The term "cuspal fracture odontalgia" was suggested in 1954 by Gibbs.[1] Subsequently, the term "cracked tooth syndrome" was coined in 1964 by Cameron,[2] who defined the condition as "an incomplete fracture of a vital posterior tooth that involves the dentin and occasionally extends into the pulp."[1]
References
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrsBanerji, S; Mehta, SB; Millar, BJ (May 22, 2010). "Cracked tooth syndrome. Part 1: aetiology and diagnosis". British Dental Journal. 208 (10): 459–63. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.449. PMID 20489766.
^Millar, B. J.; Mehta, S. B.; Banerji, S. (May 2010). "Cracked tooth syndrome. Part 1: aetiology and diagnosis". British Dental Journal. 208 (10): 459–463. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.449. ISSN 1476-5373. PMID 20489766.
^Banerji, S.; Mehta, S. B.; Millar, B. J. (12 June 2010). "Cracked tooth syndrome. Part 2: restorative options for the management of cracked tooth syndrome". BDJ. 208 (11): 503–514. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.496. PMID 20543791.
4. 小児における歯周病関連の全身疾患 systemic conditions associated with periodontal disease in children
5. ネフロン癆の臨床症状、診断、および治療 clinical manifestations diagnosis and treatment of nephronophthisis
English Journal
Dental optical coherence tomography: new potential diagnostic system for cracked-tooth syndrome.
Lee SH1, Lee JJ, Chung HJ, Park JT, Kim HJ.
Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA.Surg Radiol Anat.2015 Jul 14. [Epub ahead of print]
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting cracked teeth and its relative clinical effectiveness by comparing it with other diagnostic methods including conventional visual inspection, trans-illumination, and micro-comput
Cracked tooth diagnosis and treatment: An alternative paradigm.
Mamoun JS1, Napoletano D2.
European journal of dentistry.Eur J Dent.2015 Apr-Jun;9(2):293-303. doi: 10.4103/1305-7456.156840.
This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of cracked teeth, and explores common clinical examples of cracked teeth, such as cusp fractures, fractures into tooth furcations, and root fractures. This article provides alternative definitions of terms such as cracked teeth, complete and incomplet
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