Effect of different treatment protocols based on pulpal status of cracked teeth

Objective To analyze the risk factors of cracked teeth and to assess the effect of different treatment protocols depending on the status of dental pulp.Methods A retrospective study of 64 cracked teeth was performed.Age and sex of the patients,the location of the cracked teeth and restoration materials and a clinical diagnosis of pulp and apex were analyzed.Cracked teeth were treated by different treatment protocols according to the diagnosis.Results Mandibular first molars(26.6%) were the most frequently involved teeth followed by maxillary second molars(25.0%),maxillary first molars(21.8%),and mandibular second molars(17.2%).The most frequently involved ages were 41-50 years(29.7%) and 51-60 years(37.5%).Cracks occurred mainly in nonbonded amalgam restorations(40.6%),and 43.8% of cracks were found in intact teeth.In this study,55 teeth(85.9%) were treated with root canal treatment before being restored with a permanent crown,and only 9 teeth(14.1%) remained vital and were restored with a permanent crown without root canal treatment.Conclusion It is important to investigate factors related to cracked teeth and assess the dental pulp status of cracked teeth.Clinicians must have different treatment approaches for different pulp status of cracked teeth.