Etiology, Prevalence, and Classification of Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS), Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Dentists all around the world struggle with diagnosing cracked tooth syndrome. For most cases, detection of this issue is the main problem since the crack can be hidden under fillings or on the enamel surface which is too small in size to be detected with the naked eye or can be part of a root that sometimes is not visually evident. Nowadays, using dental magnifications (Dental Loupes, Dental Operating Microscope (DOM)) in everyday practice makes it possible to discover lots of dental anatomical structures and make the treatment outcome more predictable than ever. The above-mentioned devices are also used for detecting tooth cracks, but they are not the only tools that can be used to diagnose CTS. 

Aim: This article aims to explore cracked tooth syndrome, describe existing classification- compare contrast discuss challenges with diagnosis, and bring dental professionals’ attention to this phenomenon. Due to outdated and limited existing literature about CTS, this article attempts to fill in the informational gap, while creating an incentive for dentists and scholars to further explore this topic. 

Methods: to analyze CTS in-depth descriptive qualitative research method, specifically an existing literature review was applied. 

Collected information includes scholars’ research from: PubMed, ResearchGate, Springer, Wiley, Elsevier, JoE, FDI World Dental Federation, European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, NCBI National Library of Medicine, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (JPD), JADA.  

Results: The results of the research show that a lack of knowledge about CTS, its etiology, and prevalence remains a challenge. Absence of the evidence-based scientific research in Georgia limits professionals to be vigilant about the CTS and provide the relevant treatment plan for it. Additionally, the article identifies the recent classification of CTS, and it underscores the importance of further studies to be done about CTS.

Conclusions: CTS classification helps us differentiate cases and create tailored approaches based on the individual needs of the patient. To make a correct diagnosis it is crucial to be aware of the classification to make a correct diagnosis which will lead to a correct treatment plan in the future. The prevalence among the different demographics of patients is not studied well enough and there is a lack of recent statistical data regarding its incidence.