Ayse Zeynep Zengin1, Ayse Pinar Sumer2, Gunay Ozturk2, Marcel Noujeim3. 1. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ondokuzmayis, Atakum, 55139, Samsun, Turkey. dtzeynep78@yahoo.com.tr. 2. Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ondokuzmayis, Atakum, 55139, Samsun, Turkey. 3. Advanced Imaging Diagnostics, Private Practice, San Antonio, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Enamel pearl (EP) is an ectopic growth of enamel that is generally round and white and it firmly adheres to the external root surface of tooth. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and imaging features of enamel pearls (EPs) and to investigate the potential relationship between EP and supernumerary tooth. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 1003 patients were evaluated for the presence of EP. Descriptive characteristics of gender and age of patients and imaging features of EPs and presence of supernumerary tooth were recorded. RESULTS: In this study, 72 EPs were radiographically detected in 63 molars in 43 patients, with a person prevalence of 4.29% and tooth prevalence of 0.71%. Most of the EPs (95.83%) were detected in maxillary molars especially in third (n = 42, 58.33%) and second molars (n = 18, 25%). They were more frequently located at mesial (n: = 21; 29.16%); distal (n = 16; 22.22%) proximal surface of roots and the furcation between the disto-buccal and the palatal roots (n = 12; 16.67%) respectively. CBCT images of 109 (10.87%) patients showed supernumerary tooth/teeth and 13 of these also presented EP. A statistical significant relationship between supernumerary tooth and EP was found (p = 0.001). Additionally, CBCT images of four EPs showed corticated hypodens tracts similar to gubernaculum dentis (GD). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and radiologists should be aware that EPs are most frequently observed in maxilla especially in third and second molars. Presence of supernumerary tooth might be associated with higher presence of EPs.
OBJECTIVES: Enamel pearl (EP) is an ectopic growth of enamel that is generally round and white and it firmly adheres to the external root surface of tooth. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and imaging features of enamel pearls (EPs) and to investigate the potential relationship between EP and supernumerary tooth. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 1003 patients were evaluated for the presence of EP. Descriptive characteristics of gender and age of patients and imaging features of EPs and presence of supernumerary tooth were recorded. RESULTS: In this study, 72 EPs were radiographically detected in 63 molars in 43 patients, with a person prevalence of 4.29% and tooth prevalence of 0.71%. Most of the EPs (95.83%) were detected in maxillary molars especially in third (n = 42, 58.33%) and second molars (n = 18, 25%). They were more frequently located at mesial (n: = 21; 29.16%); distal (n = 16; 22.22%) proximal surface of roots and the furcation between the disto-buccal and the palatal roots (n = 12; 16.67%) respectively. CBCT images of 109 (10.87%) patients showed supernumerary tooth/teeth and 13 of these also presented EP. A statistical significant relationship between supernumerary tooth and EP was found (p = 0.001). Additionally, CBCT images of four EPs showed corticated hypodens tracts similar to gubernaculum dentis (GD). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians and radiologists should be aware that EPs are most frequently observed in maxilla especially in third and second molars. Presence of supernumerary tooth might be associated with higher presence of EPs.