Morphology of pulpal mineralizations: A scoping review

Patterns of Pulpal Mineralization in Mandibular Anteriors: A Micro-computed Tomography Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Current understanding of the morphology of pulpal mineralizations is limited. Understanding the specific location and type of such mineralizations will aid clinicians in diagnosis, case complexity assessment, and treatment planning. Therefore, this study correlated the appearance of a reduced canal volume (CV) in conventional radiographs with the presence of pulp mineralizations (PMs) utilizing micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis. The morphology of PMs utilizing micro-CT technology was also analyzed.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-one extracted permanent mandibular incisors were collected. Periapical radiographs were taken of the teeth to determine if a reduced canal space was present, in which case the sample was included for micro-CT assessment. Various descriptors for PM were then determined and these labels were then applied to the entire sample to demonstrate PM. Numerical analysis was undertaken for all teeth scanned; the following data was extracted: the presence or absence of PMs, types of PM, and their morphological structures; CVs were determined. Cohen's kappa test was used to assess intraexaminer agreement.

RESULTS

Based on radiographic appearance, forty-two teeth were included for micro-CT analysis. PMs were demonstrable in 57% and absent 43% of teeth. When PMs were absent, the CV was significantly smaller compared to when they were present (P < .05). Discrete mineralizations were more frequently located in the coronal and middle thirds compared to diffuse mineralization (P < .01). No differences in the prevalence of the individual features of discrete or diffuse mineralizations were detected (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Two detectable forms of PMs were found in micro-CT analysis at all levels of the canal: discrete and diffuse mineralizations. A reduced CV on a PA was reflective of mineralized changes within the pulp but the type of PM could not be determined. PMs occurred at any level of the root canal; clinicians need to be aware of this when performing root canal treatment.

Distribution and influencing factors of pulp stones based on CBCT: a retrospective observational study from southwest China

BACKGROUND

Pulp stones are a type of pulp calcification, the presence of which tends to hinder endodontic treatment. Thus, this retrospective study aimed to analyze the distribution of pulp stones in the population in southwest China and identify the influencing factors.

MATERIALS

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 5066 teeth of 200 patients (91 males and 109 females) aged 16-45 years were evaluated. Pulp stones were marked as either present or absent when distinct radiopaque masses were found in the pulp cavity, then evaluated the occurrence of pulp stones with regard to tooth type, sex, age group, and contact it with tooth status. The Pearson chi-square test and nonparametric test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Pulp stones were detected in 49.0% of patients and 7.4% of teeth, respectively. The incidence in females was 1.9 times higher than in males (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.3, p = 0.001). Pulp stones were most prevalent in patients 36-45 years of age. Furthermore, in the age range of 16-45 years, the likelihood of finding pulp stones increased 1.1 times per year with age (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0-1.1, p = 0.032). A higher incidence of pulp stones was observed in the maxilla and molars. Of the 5066 teeth studied, pulp stones were more common in non-intact teeth.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of the population in southwest China had pulp stones. Pulp stones were found significantly more often in females, maxilla, and non-intact teeth, and their frequency increased with age. For dentists, understanding the distribution of pulp stones is crucial for the proper design of root canal treatment (RCT).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Southwest Medical University (certificate number: 20220818001).

Investigation of polymorphisms in BMP2, BMP4, SMAD6 and RUNX2 genes and pulp stones

This study aimed to assess the association between genetic polymorphisms in BMP2 (rs1005464 and rs235768), BMP4 (rs17563), SMAD6 (rs2119261 and rs3934908) and RUNX2 (rs59983488 and rs1200425) and pulp stones (PS). A total of 117 participants, consisting of 63 individuals with PS and 54 without PS, were included. Digital radiographs and a demographic/clinical questionnaire were used. Genomic DNA from salivary cells was genotyped via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses, including Chi-Square, Fisher's exact tests, Poisson regression and dimensionality reduction, were conducted. The rs2119261 polymorphism in the SMAD6 gene showed an association with genotype distribution in the recessive model (p = 0.049). The T-T haplotype in the SMAD6 gene (rs2119261 and rs3934908) was more prevalent in the control group and significantly linked with PS (p = 0.029). No associations were found between PS risk and genetic polymorphisms in BMP2, BMP4 and RUNX2. Polymorphisms in the SMAD6 gene were associated with PS.

Pulp stones in unerupted teeth: a retrospective analysis using cone-beam computed tomography

BACKGROUND

A pulp stone is a calcified mass that develops in the dental pulp of any tooth. Despite many studies examining the relationship between pulp stone formation and non-oral factors, the methods used in these studies have been unable to explain the exact role of these factors alone as distinct from probable effects within the oral cavity environment. Considering that totally unerupted (impacted or developing) teeth are unexposed to the oral cavity's environmental and functional conditions, they provide a more suitable material for studying the effects of these non-oral factors on pulp stone formation. This research study aimed to investigate pulp stones in unerupted teeth and the associated factors in a Saudi subpopulation.

METHODS

The study included 644 cone-beam computed tomography images, with 496 (50.9%) maxillary and 479 (49.1%) mandibular teeth. Of the investigated patients, 293 (45.5%) were men, and 351 (54.5%) were women. The age range was 15-76 years. A chi-square test was used to investigate the associations between pulp stones and age, gender, and history of systemic disease and chronic medication use.

RESULTS

Pulp stones in unerupted teeth were present in 24.2% of the examined dental jaws and 18.6% of the examined teeth. There was no statistically significant relationship between pulp stones and gender (p > 0.05). A significantly greater percentage of pulp stones were found with increasing age (p = 0.000). Additionally, a significantly increased number of pulp stones was observed in patients with systemic diseases and chronic medications (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the idea that pulp stones can be present in any type of unerupted tooth. This study provides additional evidence of the increased incidence of pulp stones with age, systemic disease, and chronic medications.