An inexpensive device for transillumination

Patients with cracked-tooth syndrome often present with a chief complaint o f vague pains while eating that they cannot localize, making the diagnosis difficult. Frequently practitioners are unable to discover the cause of the ir symptoms, so treatment is delayed, which can result in apical propagatio n of the crack, leading to unrestorable vertical root fracture. Transillumi nation is a valuable aid to diagnosis, but suitable diagnostic lights are d ifficult to obtain, most being cumbersome and expensive. A portable inspect ion/bore light that serves as an ideal device for transillumination is avai lable for approximately $10.