Taurodontism in six molars: a case report

This case report describes taurodontism in six molars of one patient. There were two mandibular second molars and four maxillary molars. All of them were hypertaurodont.     

Taurodontism of deciduous and permanent molars: report of two cases

Taurodontism is an aberration of teeth that lacks the constriction at the level of the CEJ characterized by elongated pulp chambers and apical displacement of bifurcation or trifurcation of the roots, giving it a rectangular shape. Its occurrence in permanent teeth is common and is quite rare in deciduous dentition. Presented in this article are two cases with taurodontism involving deciduous and permanent molars.     

Vital pulpotomy in primary molars

abstract – Vital pulpotomy was carried out on 28 primary molars of IT) children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. As dressing material zink oxide-eugenol cement was used in 14 teeth and Ledermix® cement in 14 teeth. Contralateral teeth were treated in 13 of the children. The observation period varied from 1 to 42 months. None of the treated teeth were painful during the period of observation. Internal resorption, evaluated radiographic-ally, occurred in six teeth treated with zinc oxide-eugenol cement, and in three teeth treated with Ledermix cement. No other complications were observed. Evaluated clinically and radiographically, the treatment was thus successful in 57% of the cases with zinc oxide-eugenol cement and in 79% of the cases with Ledermix cement. Histologically, the occurrence of internal resorption was of almost the same frequency in the two groups, but the degree of resorption was considerably less in the group treated with Ledermix cement. The inflammation of the pulp tissue in the area of the amputation was clearly more severe in the group treated with zinc oxide-eugenol cement than in the group treated with Ledermix cement. Accepting the importance of correct diagnosis, this histologic study indicates that Ledermix cement, as dressing material in vital pulpotomy of primary molars, is superior to zinc oxide-eugenol cement.     

Attachment loss in primary molars

The view that primary teeth are only rarely affected by periodontitis has been generally adopted. The aim of the present work was to measure attachment loss and to establish its prevalence, severity and distribution in stained, extracted primary molars. The material consisted of 4 groups of 50 teeth each: first and second upper and first and second lower primary molars. Teeth were selected to fulfil 2 criteria: (1) a carious cavity not extending beyond the cemento-enamel junction and involving only 1 of the proximal surfaces, the other 3 surfaces being sound; (2) root resorption, if present, not affecting more than the apical third of the roots. The teeth were stained in 1% aqueous crystal violet and examined under a stereomicroscope fitted with an ocular micrometer. The distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the most coronal attachment fibres was measured in the mid-line of each surface. Attachment loss was found in 94% of the teeth and on 2/3 of the surfaces. This indicates that periodontitis in primary teeth is not a rare phenomenon. The mean loss of attachment was 0.26 +/- 0.32 mm, which cannot be regarded as clinically important. The maxillary molars and the first molars, and, the proximal surfaces showed more loss of attachment than did the mandibular molars and the second molars, and the buccal and lingual surfaces taken together. This pattern of attachment loss is similar to that seen in permanent molars. On the carious proximal surfaces, significantly more attachment loss was noted than on the sound proximal surfaces.     

Taurodontism in premolars

Taurodontism is not a dental anomaly that affects only the molars. In a review of 379 premolars extracted for different pathologic reasons, three cases of taurodontism were found. The three cases were in upper premolars and were studied anatomically and radiographically. The literature was reviewed, as well as the low incidence of the condition in premolars, which is probably related to a genetic condition. Our observations support this fact, as suggested by the study of our cases from a restricted population nucleus, within a district area of the city of Seville, Spain. Among the diagnostic criteria of taurodontism, those established by Shifman and Chanannel are more objective. Finally, our findings support an embryologic origin as a result of a delay in the apical epithelial diaphragm evagination or by interference in the epitheliomesenchymatose induction.     

The vital pulpotomy in primary molars

The vital formocresol pulpotomy is a useful technique to regain satisfactory oral health. Proper evaluation and diagnosis is crucial in order for the dentist to select the pulpal therapy that offers the best chance of long-term success with the fewest complications.     

Submerging primary molars in Israeli rural children

Abstract Dental study casts of 1530 Israeli rural children aged 3–13 years, evenly represented by the sexes, were examined for submersion of their primary molars. 24.8% of the children had one or more of these teeth affected. Out of 8250 teeth at risk, 8.81 % were submerged to various degrees Over 50% of them were primary mandibular first molars, close to 26% were primary mandibular second molars. The number of affected teeth rose with age in both sexes. Sex differences were significant only at 5–7 years, when girls were more frequently affected. Children with one or two affected teeth predominated. The submerged teeth were predominantly located in one or in boil quadrants of the same arch. The degree of submersion became more severe with age.     

Resin-based composites and compomers in primary molars

Resin-based composite resins and polyacid-modified resin-based composites (compomers) have become popular for the restoration of primary anterior and posterior teeth. In some European countries, resin-based composites or glass-ionomers are the materials of choice for primary teeth because of the controversy over dental amalgam and its alleged adverse health effects resulting from the release of mercury, although a clear correlation between amalgam restorations and health has not been determined. Another reason for the worldwide increased use of resin-based composites and glass-ionomers in pediatric dentistry could be attributed to the growing demand from parents to provide esthetic restorations to their children. More conservative preparations can be performed maintaining more tooth structure because of the adhesive properties of the composites and compomers. The most conservative treatment planning and meticulous care in the placement of the resin-based composites and compomers would produce long-term satisfactory results. These restorations should be placed in patients with low-to-moderate caries risk, and after placement the restorations should be monitored carefully to avoid complications mainly produced by recurrent caries and wear.     

Brushite in the pulp of primary molars

This study was undertaken to investigate the mineral phase of spherulitic calcifications discovered in the pulpous mesenchyme of human primary molars by microradiography. Analytical scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction disclosed that well-crystallized brushite is the major compound of the spherulites. The mechanism leading to the crystallization of brushite is far from well understood. Histologically, on decalcified sections, inflammatory cells and capillaries can be seen trapped in the spherulites. In the light of these findings, it could be suggested that metabolic conditions may promote the crystallization of brushite in the pulp of primary molars.