IADR Abstract Archives
Correlation between symptoms and external cracked tooth characteristics: National-Dental-PBRN study
Objectives: To determine which external tooth/crack characteristics correlate with cracked teeth being symptomatic.
Methods: Dentists in National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN; www.NationalDentalPBRN.org) enrolled subjects each with a single, vital posterior tooth with at least one observable external crack. Data were collected at the patient-, tooth- and crack- level. Teeth were determined to be symptomatic if they were spontaneously painful, or painful to cold and/or bite testing. Frequencies according to whether or not symptomatic were obtained and odds ratio calculated. Stepwise regression using generalized model to adjust for clustering was performed; characteristics with p<0.05 were retained.
Results: 209 network dentists enrolled 2,780 subjects/cracked teeth (one per patient) with a symptomatic or asymptomatic cracked posterior tooth. 1,234 (44%) of these enrolled teeth were symptomatic.1,013 (36%) of the population were male, average age was 54(SD=12); range 19-85 years. The number of external cracks per enrolled tooth: 1: 992(36%); 2: 736(26%); 3: 487(18%); 4: 301(11%); 5: 147(5%); 6: 66(2%); 7 or more cracks 51(2%). Distribution of tooth surfaces with a crack: mesial: 1,249(45%); distal 1,394(50%); occlusal 1,198 (43%); facial 1,392(50%); lingual 1,429(51%). Of 1,234 symptomatic, 352(28%) had spontaneous pain. The following table presents frequencies and crude associations of various tooth/crack characteristics to a cracked tooth being symptomatic:
In adjusted analysis, molar location (OR= 1.84; p<0.001), blocking trans-illuminated light (OR= 1.47; p=0.005), caries present (OR= 1.36; p= 0.02), crack on distal surface (OR= 1.28; p<0.001), or wear facet through enamel (OR= 1.22; p= .01) were associated with increased odds of being symptomatic. Conversely, if NCCL was present (OR= 0.65; p=0.02) or if crack stained (OR=0.69; p<0.001) were associated with decreased odds of being symptomatic.
Conclusions: A number of tooth- and crack-level characteristics are significantly associated with symptomatic cracked teeth. Support: U19-DE-22516.
Methods: Dentists in National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN; www.NationalDentalPBRN.org) enrolled subjects each with a single, vital posterior tooth with at least one observable external crack. Data were collected at the patient-, tooth- and crack- level. Teeth were determined to be symptomatic if they were spontaneously painful, or painful to cold and/or bite testing. Frequencies according to whether or not symptomatic were obtained and odds ratio calculated. Stepwise regression using generalized model to adjust for clustering was performed; characteristics with p<0.05 were retained.
Results: 209 network dentists enrolled 2,780 subjects/cracked teeth (one per patient) with a symptomatic or asymptomatic cracked posterior tooth. 1,234 (44%) of these enrolled teeth were symptomatic.1,013 (36%) of the population were male, average age was 54(SD=12); range 19-85 years. The number of external cracks per enrolled tooth: 1: 992(36%); 2: 736(26%); 3: 487(18%); 4: 301(11%); 5: 147(5%); 6: 66(2%); 7 or more cracks 51(2%). Distribution of tooth surfaces with a crack: mesial: 1,249(45%); distal 1,394(50%); occlusal 1,198 (43%); facial 1,392(50%); lingual 1,429(51%). Of 1,234 symptomatic, 352(28%) had spontaneous pain. The following table presents frequencies and crude associations of various tooth/crack characteristics to a cracked tooth being symptomatic:
In adjusted analysis, molar location (OR= 1.84; p<0.001), blocking trans-illuminated light (OR= 1.47; p=0.005), caries present (OR= 1.36; p= 0.02), crack on distal surface (OR= 1.28; p<0.001), or wear facet through enamel (OR= 1.22; p= .01) were associated with increased odds of being symptomatic. Conversely, if NCCL was present (OR= 0.65; p=0.02) or if crack stained (OR=0.69; p<0.001) were associated with decreased odds of being symptomatic.
Conclusions: A number of tooth- and crack-level characteristics are significantly associated with symptomatic cracked teeth. Support: U19-DE-22516.