The prevalence, location, and size of enamel pearls on human molars

abstract — Of 8,854 extracted molars in Norwegians, 201 teeth contained a total of 219 macroscopically detectable enamel pearls. The uncertainty in tooth determination had a limited effect upon the prevalence figures. Maxillary molars showed a higher prevalence than mandibular molars. The highest prevalence, 4.6%, was found on maxillary third molars. With few exceptions, the pearls were located in the bifurcation area or in the furrow between incompletely separated roots. The mean pearl diameter was 0.96 mm, and the mean distance to the cemento-enamel junction 2.8 mm. The relationship between enamel pearls and cervical enamel projections is discussed. It is suggested that simple enamel pearls and cervical enamel projections are of a similar nature and origin. The enamel of composite enamel pearls is probably initiated in a different way.