Abstract:
Taurodontism is a clinical entity with a morpho–
anatomical change in the shape of the tooth, which was thought
to be absent in modern man. Taurodontism is mostly observed
as an isolated trait or a component of a syndrome. Various
techniques have been devised to diagnose taurodontism.
Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze whether a biometric
analysis was useful in diagnosing taurodontism, in radiographs
which appeared to be normal on cursory observations.
Setting and Design: This study was carried out in our institution
by using radiographs which were taken for routine procedures.
Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, panoramic
radiographs were obtained from dental records of children who
were aged between 9–14 years, who did not have any abnormality
on cursory observations. Biometric analyses were carried out on
permanent mandibular first molar(s) by using a novel biometric
method. The values were tabulated and analysed.
Statistics: Fischer exact probability test, Chi square test and
Chi-square test with Yates correction were used for statistical
analysis of the data.
Results: Cursory observation did not yield us any case of
taurodontism. In contrast, the biometric analysis yielded us
a statistically significant number of cases of taurodontism.
However, there was no statistically significant difference in the
number of cases with taurodontism, which was obtained between
the genders and the age group which was considered.
Conclusion: Thus, taurodontism was diagnosed on a biometric
analysis, which was otherwise missed on a cursory observation. It
is therefore necessary from the clinical point of view, to diagnose
even the mildest form of taurodontism by using metric analysis
rather than just relying on a visual radiographic assessment, as
its occurrence has many clinical implications and a diagnostic
importance.
