Clinical features of pulpitis caused by cracked teeth and causes of misdiagnosis
LIANG Jin
LIU Yan
Abstract：Objective To explore clinical features of pulpitis caused by cracked teeth and to analyze the causes of misdiagnosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 3 patients who had pulpitis caused by cracked teeth and were admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to March 2025.Results All of the three patients visited the hospital due to paroxysmal maxillofacial pain and were initially diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia,without response to treatment with oral Carbamazepine.They were diagnosed with pulpitis caused by cracked teeth after analysis of detailed medical history and oral examination combined with X-ray and staining with 2.5％tincture of iodine.The duration of misdiagnosis ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months.After confirmed diagnosis,pain symptoms completely disappeared after root canal therapy and full crown restoration.During the 3-6 months of follow-up,affected teeth functioned well,with no recurrence of pain but stable restoration.Conclusion Early symptoms of pulpitis caused by cracked teeth are not typical,which is more likely to be misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia.Features of the disease,limitations in clinical diagnosis,and patient factors are reasons for misdiagnosis of pulpitis caused by cracked teeth.Generating a systematic prevention strategy,standardizing the differential diagnosis process,and carrying out interdisciplinary collaboration are key to timely and clear diagnosis,reducing or avoiding misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Keywords：cracked toothpulpitismisdiagnosistrigeminal neuralgiastaining with 2.5tincture of iodineroot canal therapyfull crown restoration
Publication Date：2026-01-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-02-05(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：4( 21-24 )