Prevalence of taurodontism in mandibular second molars

ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of taurodontism and gender differences in mandibular permanent second molars of patients who visited Punjab Dental Hospital. Taurodontism is the morpho-anatomical change in the shape of a tooth, and it is a rare dental anomaly which involves enlargement of the body of the tooth and shortening of the roots. Endodontic treatment of a taurodont tooth is challenging and requires special handling because of the proximity and apical displacement of the roots It has been reported in permanent and deciduous teeth, in premolars and molars and are associated with certain syndromes, particularly in those involving an ectodermal defect. It has clinical implications which are relevant to both the general dental practitioner and the orthodontist. The prevalence of taurodontism was12% in this study