Patients with cracked-tooth syndrome often present with a chief complaint of vague pains while eating that they cannot localize, making the diagnosis difficult. Frequently practitioners are unable to discover the cause of their symptoms, so treatment is delayed, which can result in apical propagation of the crack, leading to unrestorable vertical root fracture. Transillumination is a valuable aid to diagnosis, but suitable diagnostic lights are difficult to obtain, most being cumbersome and expensive. A portable inspection/bore light that serves as an ideal device for transillumination is available for approximately $10.
Dr. Liewehr is the assistant director, Endodontic Residency Program, U.S. Army Dental Activity, Fort Gordon, GA.
Address requests for reprints to COL Frederick R. Liewehr, Endodontic Residency Program, USA DENTAC, Fort Gordon, GA 30905-5650
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the author and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the United States Army or the Department of Defense.
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