Comparative morphological analysis of the root developmental groove with the palato-gingival groove.

The palato-gingival groove is an anomaly of shape that modifies dental tissues organization while the developmental root groove is described within normal root anatomy. The morphology of dental tissues in relation to the presence of the developmental root groove has not been properly described. This study analyzed microscopically the morphology of dental tissues related to the root developmental groove comparing it with that presented on teeth affected by palato-gingival groove. Many similarities were observed such as the increased cementum thickness, decreased dentin thickness, pulp compartment surface alteration, irregularity of the dentin-cementum junction and of the cementum surface. These results suggest a common determining factor to this structure organization pattern. It is possible that the palato-gingival groove could be the result of an alteration of genetic mechanisms, rather than a dental germ folding, determined by privation of space, as previously hypothesized.