![]() ![]() All teeth were examined with a trans-illuminator using loupes to determine the presence or absence of a crack. Understanding near infra-red laser energy transmission through teeth with and without cracks could help develop protocols in using this technology to aid in the diagnosis and management of cracked teeth.Įxtracted teeth were selected, each with or without visible cracks were selected for this study. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the laser energy transmission in-vitro of teeth with and without a crack. Hence further research is required to determine if this relative increase in energy is beneficial in identifying symptomatic cracked teeth.Ĭurrently, no studies have shown the variation of energy transmission in teeth assessed to have a crack and those with non-visible cracks. The study proposed that the findings could help with the diagnosis of teeth with symptomatic cracks. The study also showed good outcome after a follow-up period of 4 years in teeth that were diagnosed and managed. 12 The study indicated a near infra-red laser scan of the surface of a tooth with a crack through dentine caused a sharp pain that disappeared immediately following the removal of the stimulus or when the scan was not in the region of the crack. 11 A recent clinical study showed that lasers could be used as an adjunct in location and management of cracked teeth. 9- 11 The limited absorption of near infra-red lasers (700-1500 nm), allows for better non-ablative penetration into tooth structure. Lasers have recently been used for a number of applications in dentistry. a fractured cusp or cracked tooth) from an asymptomatic crack (i.e. 6 Visual inspection and trans-illumination cannot definitively identify a symptomatic crack (i.e. 3- 5 However the lack of in-vivo studies, the expense and restricted clinical accessibility, limits the use of ultrasound and micro-CT in dental clinics. 2Ĭurrent diagnostic methods to visualize a crack include, visual inspection, trans-illumination, ultrasound and micro-computer tomography (Micro-CT). 1 Diagnosis of cracked tooth is difficult as patients symptoms vary depending on the direction and extent of the crack and consequent health of the pulp. 1 Fractured cusp and cracked tooth however are deeper crack lines that extend to or beyond the dentinal- enamel junction and result in variable symptoms. 1 Craze lines are superficial cracks present within enamel that require no treatment. This encompasses three categories craze lines, fractured cusp and cracked tooth. Keywords: Cracked teeth Near-infrared lasers Endodontics Diagnosis Laser transmissionĬracks in teeth, are defined as visible fracture lines that are present on the coronal tooth surface. Hence, further research is required to determine the relative increase in energy required to identify symptomatic cracked teeth. ![]() A recent clinical study has also shown that lasers could be used to assess symptomatic cracked teeth. Within the limitations of this study, it is evident that significantly higher laser energy passes through teeth with cracks in comparison to teeth without cracks. The mean power recording for the cracked teeth (Group A) was significantly greater ( p = 0.0005) than that for the non-cracked teeth (Group B). Unpaired t-test analysis was used to determine if the tooth sections with cracks allowed higher power passage compared to sound teeth. A power meter positioned behind the tooth recorded the average energy that was transmitted through the samples. ![]() Fourteen sections, each with cracks (Group A) and no cracks (Group B) were identified and placed 15 mm from the tip of a 300 micron fiber, prior to activation with an 810 nm diode laser (0.1W, 50 ms interval,100 ms duration). To evaluate the difference in near-infrared (810 nm) laser energy transmission through teeth with and without cracks.Įxtracted teeth were sectioned and examined visually for the presence of cracks with the aid of photographs and a trans-illuminator. ![]()
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