 |
| Title |
Patients with Cracked Tooth Syndrome, The Bite Test is Not Conclusively More Effective Than Transillumination in Diagnosing Tooth Fractures |
| Clinical Question |
In patients suffering from a cracked tooth syndrome, is the bite test a better diagnostic tool than transillumination? |
| Clinical Bottom Line |
For patients with cracked tooth syndrome, the bite test is not conclusively more effective than transillumination in diagnosing tooth fractures. This is based on a study involving 378 patients with CTS-like conditions. All teeth with CTS-like conditions tested positive response to the bite test. Of the 33 teeth with CTS, all transilluminated. Based on these results a positive bite test is diagnostic of CTS and transillumination is beneficial aid in these situations. |
| Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
| PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
| #1) 19249590 | Udoye/2009 | 375 pt, 18-77 yo, with CTS like conditions | Cohort study | | Key results | CTS was more frequent in males, maxillary arch, and restored second molars or unrestored first molars.
The patients with CTS had a positive bite test and transilluminated, responded to electric pulp testing at normal threshold levels, and half had detectable cracks.
In most cases, symptoms were relieved immediately after diagnosis was made. For those with symptoms of an unexplained source, symptomatic alleviation was effected. Such cases were followed up for evidence of cracks and to rule out other possible causes.
| |
| Evidence Search |
"cracked tooth syndrome" AND transillumination |
Comments on
The Evidence |
Validity: There is no high-quality evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of transillumination alone in detecting an early coronal fracture. This sample consisted of only cases of cracked tooth. The authors did not report evaluating negative controls (i.e. non-cracked). This study is, therefore, prevalence data rather than a comparison of the properties of the biting test vs. transillumination. |
| Applicability |
This study was done in Nigeria. Differences in oral habits and dietary practices might limit the applicability of these results to other populations. |
| Specialty/Discipline |
(Endodontics) (General Dentistry) (Periodontics) (Restorative Dentistry) |
| Keywords |
Cracked tooth syndrome, fracture, bite test, transillumination
|
| ID# |
2548 |
| Date of submission: |
08/07/2013 |
| E-mail |
trantc@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Author |
Tim C. Tran |
| Co-author(s) |
Arwa Khayat |
| Co-author(s) e-mail |
Khayat@livemail.uthscsa.edu |
| Faculty mentor/Co-author |
|
| Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
|
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
| None available | |
|
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
| None available | |
|
|
