A review of the diagnosis and management of the cracked tooth.

UNLABELLED: A cracked tooth is a common presentation in general dental practice. It may be difficult to diagnose, owing to the variations in the clinical presentation.The symptoms that result from a cracked tooth have given rise to the term Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS).This article reviews and discusses the clinical signs, symptoms and the management of CTS. An early diagnosis is important to relieve pain, restore function and improve the prognosis for the tooth. The prognosis can be unpredictable and this needs to be understood by patients before embarking on definitive treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cracked tooth syndrome is a common occurrence in general dental practice and may be difficult to diagnose, especially as to the extent and direction of the crack. Awareness of cracked tooth syndrome is therefore important in providing the correct treatment and patient management.