engleski

Evaluation of the four methods of estimating taurodontism

Taurodontism (T) is defined as an apical extension of the pulp chamber which results in shortened root. The aims of this study were to evaluate four methods for estimating T and to determine its concordance. The number of 221 lower molars were traced from the orthopantomograms of 87 males 24-31 yr of age. Seven variables were measured on the tracings: Variable 1) lowest point of the roof - highest point of the floor of the pulp chamber, 2) lowest point of the roof of the pulp chamber - apex of the longest root, 3) baseline connecting the two cementoenamel junctions (neck) - highest point of the floor of the pulp chamber, 4) neck - deepest pit of the occlusal surface, 5) neck - root bifurcation, 6) root bifurcation - deepest pit of the occlusal surface, 7) root bifurcation - apex of the longest root. Each tooth was assessed twice by the same author (J. G.) within 2-4 days. T was estimated according to the methods proposed by Shifman (1), Tulensalo (2), Jorgenson (3) and Seow (4). The value of Variable 3 proposed by Shifman was adjusted for magnification on the orthopantomograms while the index proposed by Seow was adjusted for the second and third molars. Intraexaminer reliability in reproducing the same classification was, on average, 96, 84%, the highest for the Shifman's method (99, 10%) and the lowest for the Seow's method (94, 57%). Table 1 shows frequencies of taurodontism found and methods used. The concordance in diagnosing T was the highest for Shifman's and Jorgenson's method (94, 1%) and the lowest for Tulensalo's and Seow's method (83, 8%). According to Shifman's criterion only two molars were classified as taurodontic and those were the only teeth that were classified the same by all four methods. Thus, the method for estimating T described by Shifman proved to be the most reliable for use in later epidemiologic investigations. References:1. Shifman A et al., Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1978 ; 26: 200. 2. Tulensalo T et al, Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1989 ; 17: 258. 3. Jorgenson RJ et al, J Cran Genet Dev Biol 1982 ; 2: 125. 4. Seow WK et al, Pediatric dentistry 1989 ; 11(3): 214.

taurodontism; tooth abnormalities; tooth morphology

nije evidentirano