Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 - Free ADC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The bite test is a commonly used procedure to diagnose cracked tooth syndrome. During this test, the dentist will ask the patient to bite down on a specific object or tool, which helps to localize the discomfort associated with a cracked tooth. When a tooth is cracked, it often causes pain upon biting because the crack can cause movement of the tooth structure, leading to exposure of the nerve endings inside.

This test is particularly useful as it relies on the patient's feedback regarding where they feel pain during biting or releasing the bite. It helps in identifying the tooth that may be affected by a crack, guiding further diagnostic measures or treatment options.

Other methods like dye application can help visualize cracks to some extent, while transillumination aids in identifying cracks by shining a light through the tooth, but the bite test is the most definitive way to elicit symptoms directly associated with the patient’s biting function. Similarly, the copper ring application is not a standard diagnostic method for cracked tooth syndrome. Thus, the bite test stands out as the correct procedure for this specific condition.