Radiographic evaluation of teeth with pulp stones and pulp canal obliteration: characteristics, and associations with dental parameters

Figures & data

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the research methodology.

Table 1. The distribution of pulp stones according to dental arches, sex, and location and teeth characteristics.

	Teeth with PS n(%)	Teeth with PCO n(%)	Teeth with both n(%)	p values
Age group
Less than 20 years old	34 (11.8%)	3 (20.0%)	2 (2.0%)	<0.001
21–30	131 (45.6%)	5 (33.3%)	36 (36.0%)
31–40	38 (13.2%)	3 (20.0%)	10 (10.0%)
Above 40	84 (29.3)	4 (26.7%)	52 (52%)
Mean Age
	30.7(±11.1)	26.2(±18.8)	45.6(±15.5)	<0.001
Gender
Male	121 (42.2%)	7 (46.7%)	45 (45.0%)	0.849
Female	166 (57.8%)	8 (53.3%)	55 (55.0%)
History of Trauma
Yes	7 (2.4%)	1 (6.7%)	1 (1.0%)	0.350
No	280 (97.6%)	14 (93.3%)	99 (99.0%)
History of orthodontic teeth movement
Yes	26 (9.1%)	1 (6.7%)	5(5.0%)	0.427
No	261 (90.9%)	14 (93.3%)	95(95.0%)
Oral habits
Yes	57 (19.9%)	1 (6.7%)	15 (15.0%)	0.278
No	230 (80.1%)	14 (93.3%)	85 (85.0%)
Discoloration
Yes	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0.818
No	286 (99.7%)	15 (100.0%)	100 (100.0%)
Arch
Upper	155 (54.0%)	8 (53.3%)	64 (64.0%)	0.215
Lower	132 (46.0%)	7 (46.7%)	36 (36.0%)
Tooth type
Anterior	19 (6.6%)	2 (13.3%)	3 (3.0%)	<.001
Premolars	35 (12.2%)	5 (33.3%)	2 (2.0%)
Molars	233 (81.2%)	8 (53.3%)	95 (95.0%)
Crown status
Intact	107 (37.3%)	4 (26.7%)	41 (41.0%)	0.015
Resin restoration	110 (38.3%)	2 (13.3%)	39 (39.0%)
Defective restoration	9 (3.1%)	3 (20.0%)	6 (6.0%)
Carious	58 (20.2%)	6 (40.0%)	14 (14.0%)
Crown	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)
Crown status
Intact	107 (37.3%)	4 (26.7%)	41 (41.0%)	0.533
Non intact	180 (62.7%)	11 (73.3%)	59 (59.0%)
Presence of caries
Yes	66 (23.0%)	8 (53.3%)	19 (19.0%)	0.013
No	221 (77.0%)	7 (46.7%)	81 (81.0%)
Level of caries
Shallow	34 (51.5%)	2 (25%)	6 (31.5%)	0.08
Deep	32 (48.4%)	6 (75%)	13 (68.5%)
Presence of restoration
Yes	119 (41.5%)	5 (33.3%)	43 (43.0%)	0.777
No	168 (58.5%)	10 (66.7%)	57 (57.0%)
Level of restoration
Shallow	80 (67.2%)	1 (20%)	21 (48.8%)	0.159
Deep	39 (32.7%)	4 (80%)	22 (51.1%)
Periodontal status
Healthy	218 (76.0%)	1 (93.3%)	53 (53.0%)	<0.001
Not healthy	69 (24.0%)	14 (6.7%)	47 (47.0%)
Presence of PARL (for cases with PA radiographs only, n = 330)
Yes	17(5.9%)	6(40.0%)	5 (5.0%)	<0.001
No	219 (76.3%)	7(46.7%)	76 (76.0%)
Total	287	15	100

Table 2. Description of PCO and PS among examined teeth (n = 402); within the sample a total of 100 teeth exhibiting both PS and PCO.

	Partial n(%)	Complete n(%)	Total
PS	160 (41.5%)	226 (58.5%)	387
PCO	64 (55.2%)	52 (44.8%)	115

Figure 2. Radiographic images showing pulp stone and pulp canal obliteration associated with different dental parameters.

(a) Periapical radiograph of teeth #26 and #27 revealed pulp stones that completely occlude the pulp chamber of #26 and partially occlude the pulp chamber of #27, patient reported history of orthodontic treatment; (b) Periapical radiograph of tooth #46 revealed pulp stone that partially occlude the pulp chamber and related to extensive caries; (c) Periapical radiograph of tooth #35 revealed both pulp stone and pulp canal obliteration, tooth is rotated and subjected to trauma from occlusion; (d) Periapical radiograph of tooth #27 revealed complete obliteration of the pulp chamber and pulp canal due to deep coronal restoration; (e) Periapical radiograph of lower anterior teeth revealed narrowing of the canal space of all roots (partial obliteration), patient reported history of dental trauma.

Figure 3. Distribution of teeth exhibiting pulp canal obliteration (PCO), pulp stones (PS), and combined calcification types in relation to main clinical and historical factors, including oral habits, orthodontic tooth movement, and trauma history.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.