Cracked tooth syndrome Information & Cracked tooth syndrome Links at HealthHaven.com

Cross-section of a posterior tooth.

Cracked tooth syndrome (abbreviated CTS) is a medical condition in which a crack extends through the dentin, and occasionally through the pulp of a posterior tooth.^[1]

[edit] Classification

Since is a fairly extensive list of classifications for cracked teeth, it is often difficult for doctors to find a correct diagnosis.

[edit] Oblique supragingival fractures

Oblique supragingival fractures mainly involve upper portions of a tooth above the gum line, meaning the patient will most likely not feel pain, therefore hardly, if at all, notice the fracture. If or when this fracture disconnects from the whole tooth, it is most likely to still go unnoticed by the patient. These types of fractures tend to me minor and less maintenance than most.

[edit] Oblique subgingival fractures

Oblique subgingival fractures involve larger portions of a tooth, ones that often extend the length of where the jawbone begins. This type of fracture tends to be more painful, and patients often notice this pain. If or when these fractures disconnect from the tooth as a whole, the patient will feel a sharper pain until the cracked part stuck the the gum is removed from the whole tooth. Unlike Oblique supragingival fractures, this type of fracture involves nerves.

[edit] Vertical furcation fracture

Vertical furcation fractures occur when the tooth splits into two or more individual roots. These cracks in said tooth always extend down into the tooth's nerves, causing increased pain.

[edit] Oblique Root Fractures

Oblique Root Fractures are never located in the crown of the tooth, therefore patients often confuse this pain with a severe toothache as there is no outstanding evidence of a breakage. These fractures are always located below gum line, and, in some severe cases, even as far as to extend into the jaw.

[edit] Vertical root fractures

Vertical root fractures is the result of part of a root breaking off. Patients who have had endodontic treatments are more prone to this than most. This type of fracture is often the result of a nerve dying, therefore causing the tooth's roots to become dry and brittle.

[edit] Vertical Apical root fractures

Vertical Apical root fractures occur when a split down the middle of one of the tooth's root appears. These are fractures are moderately painful for the patient and are removed via root canal.

[edit] Symptoms

Pain as a result of pressure being applied to the afflicted area is a classic sign of cracked tooth syndrome, though the patient may not be able to point out which tooth it arises from.^[1]

[edit] Diagnosis

When diagnosing cracked tooth syndrome, a doctor takes many factors into consideration. A bite-test is commonly performed to confirm the diagnosis, in which patient bites down on either a Q-tip, cotton roll, or a medical instrument called the Tooth Slooth.^[1]^[2]

[edit] Treatments

Root Canal
Stabilization (Places two or more posts inside the roots of cracked teeth)
Crown tooth

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c The Cracked Tooth Syndrome, 68, Canadian Dental Association, September 2002, http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-68/issue-8/470.pdf
^ Patient Education about Cracked Teeth, Tooth Slooth, 12 December 2005, http://www.toothslooth.com/Education.html

[CDA-0] The Cracked Tooth Syndrome, 68, Canadian Dental Association, September 2002, http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-68/issue-8/470.pdf

[1] Patient Education about Cracked Teeth, Tooth Slooth, 12 December 2005, http://www.toothslooth.com/Education.html

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