Laser‐assisted diagnosis of symptomatic cracks in teeth with cracked tooth: A 4‐year in‐vivo follow‐up study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a near‐infrared diode laser could be used as an adjunct to help identify and localise symptomatic cracks in patients with cracked tooth. An 810‐nm diode laser at 1 W continuous wave energy with a 200 micro‐fibre tip was used to scan the offending tooth. Crack identified during the laser scan was removed, restored and reviewed after four weeks and after 4 years. The laser was able to significantly (P = 0.0001) identify suspected cracked teeth from non‐cracked control teeth. Of the twelve patients examined, ten participants experienced discomfort as the laser passed over a crack line. At 4‐week and 4‐year recall, a majority of the ten treated patients responded positively to the management of crack. This study showed that diode laser could be an adjunctive tool for early detection and management of symptomatic cracks with the possibility of improving long‐term survival.

A method of crack detection based on digital image correlation for simulated cracked tooth

“…Although CBCT had a good imaging resolution, the associated radiation would be undesirable. Some non-destructive engineering testing such as ultrasound [15], surface laser [16] may have side effects like pain or discomfort. The complex interactive mechanism between the stimuli signal and the irregular tooth structure may also bring some difficulties for imaging and signal treatment in further clinical diagnosis.…”

Review of Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Etiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention

“…When the laser energy is irradiated on teeth with suspicious symptoms, most patients experience sharp pain, and only few of them get dull pain. This may be because when the laser beam enters the depth of the crack, the energy that is applied to the pulp causes an analogous irritation [ 8 ].…”

“…is may be because when the laser beam enters the depth of the crack, the energy that is applied to the pulp causes an analogous irritation [8].…”

“…In such situations, patients often complain and often seek medical attention. However, some research studies indicate that there is no obvious correlation between these symptoms and the appearance of cracked teeth and that not all broken teeth present with symptoms [ 8 ]. Thus, it is essential to comprehensively and meticulously diagnose CTS using auxiliary tools.…”

Near-infrared Laser Energy Transmission through Teeth with Crack Lines: An In-vitro Study

“…11 A recent clinical study showed that lasers could be used as an adjunct in location and management of cracked teeth. 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. The study also showed good outcome after a follow-up period of 4 years in teeth that were diagnosed and managed.…”