Assessing the proposed association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism in 975 paediatric subjects

Int J Paediatr Dent. 2008 May;18(3):231-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2007.00876.x.

Abstract

Background: An association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism has been suggested. The identification of subpopulations with specific associated dental anomalies (subphenotype) would allow testing of the specific hypothesis that certain genetic factors contribute to the specific subphenotype.

Aim: This work aims to assess a large cohort to verify if the association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism is present.

Design: Panoramic radiographs of 1002 patients were examined and 975 were used in this study. The presence of tooth agenesis and taurodontism was assessed in the study population.

Results: The frequency of tooth agenesis was 4.6% and the frequency of taurodontism was 1.6%. There were, however, no observations of concomitant tooth agenesis and taurodontism.

Conclusions: Our data do not support the hypothesis that isolated tooth agenesis is associated with isolated taurodontism.

MeSH terms

  • Anodontia / diagnostic imaging
  • Anodontia / epidemiology*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / abnormalities*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radiography, Panoramic
  • Tooth Abnormalities / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth Abnormalities / epidemiology*