Protostylid: Contributing and Aggravating Factor for Periodontitis.

Clinicians should be well-versed in the anatomy, variations, and teeth anomalies. Developmental disturbances of the teeth can lead to alterations in size, shape, number, structure, and eruption of the teeth. Developmental disturbances can lead to germination, fusion, concrescence, dilaceration, talons, cusps, dens in dente, etc. Protostylid, an additional cusp on the buccal aspect of the maxillary molar, which is a rare clinical finding, can lead to plaque accumulation, making oral hygiene maintenance difficult. This leads to clinical attachment loss and bone loss. This condition may often go undiagnosed. It should be diagnosed to prevent further complications. This case has been reported to make clinicians aware of the importance of diagnosing the case at the earliest possible time so that complications can be prevented and management is easier. From the perspective of forensic dentistry, this morphological feature, though uncommon, may be useful for the classification and identification of victims in mass causalities and bite marks on bodies or inanimate objects. This is one of the rarest cases of protostylids reported to date. This may not only pose a significant problem in endodontic therapy due to morphological alterations in root canals and periodontal therapy due to grove formation leading to an inability to maintain a plaque-free area (bone loss) but also be of very significant interest from the perspective of forensic dentistry.

Aberrant anatomy in endodontically treated teeth in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Objective: The anatomical features of teeth show wide morphological variations. These variations include coronal and radicular aberrations. They are thought to be influenced by age, gender, race and evaluation methods. Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of both normal and unusual dental morphology is vital in the practice of endodontics. The objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of aberrant root anatomy in endodontically treated teeth among adult patients attending the Endodontic unit of a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of all clinical records of adult patients who attended the Endodontic unit of the Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Edo State, Nigeria from January 2013 to January 2018 for root canal treatment (RCT). The demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the patients' records and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 927 patients, comprising445 (48.0%) males and 482 (52.0%) females (a ratio of 1:1.1) underwent endodontic treatment during the study period. The age range of patients was 18-80 years. The total number of teeth treated was 1016. Aberrant root anatomy was observed in 161 (15.8%) of the studied sample. It was more frequently seen in mandibular 118 (29.9%) than maxillary 43 (6.9%) teeth. Aberrant root anatomy occurred most frequently in mandibular second molars 42 (38.9%) followed by the maxillary first molars 32 (38.1%). These aberrations were observed in the roots and canal numbers of treated teeth while the occurrence of aberrant anatomy was higher in females (9.9%) than males (5.9%). Conclusion: In this study, aberrant root anatomies were mostly observed in mandibular teeth and among female patients. Clinicians should be aware of the existence of wide variations in root form and canal morphology during endodontic procedures. The alertness is helped by the use of Dental operating microscopes or other magnification devices, multiple periapical radiographs with angular cone shift or other contemporary imaging modalities in revealing tooth anatomy that would otherwise be missed

Endodontic treatment: an analysis of demand by adult patients in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

Objective: An increase in dental awareness and need to maintain good oral health, in a growing population will necessitate an increased demand for root canal treatment (endodontic treatment). In emerging economies like Nigeria, the trend appears similar to what obtains in more developed economies where patients are keen on retaining their teeth. The objective was to determine the reasons for endodontic treatment and pattern of demand for treatment among adult patients attending the Endodontic unit of a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective review of all clinical records of adult patients who attended the Endodontic unit of the Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Edo State, Nigeria from January 2012 to December 2014 for root canal treatment (RCT). The demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the patients' records and analyzed using Results: A total of 485 patients, comprising 226(46.6%) males and 259(53.4%) females (a ratio of 1:1.4) underwent endodontic treatment during the study period. The age range of patients was 18-68 years. In the studied population, the highest demand for endodontic treatment 219(45.2%) was among the 20-29 years age range. The commonest indication for RCT was irreversible pulpitis (48.4%). The total number of teeth treated was 522. More posterior teeth 338(64.8%) were treated than anteriors 184(35.2%). The mandibular first molar 96(18.4%) was the most frequently treated tooth. More maxillary teeth 332(63.6%) underwent RCT than mandibular teeth 190(36.4%).Endodontic treatment was mostly completed in multiple visits 439(84.1%). A total of 279 (57.5%) patients had their treatments covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Out of pocket payments accounted for 40.2% of patients who had endodontic treatment.Conclusion: There was a greater demand for root canal treatment among female and young adult patients. Most of the procedures were performed on maxillary teeth while the mandibular first molar was the most frequently treated tooth

Andodontic treatment: an analysis of demand by adult patients in a tertiary hospital in southern nigeria

Objective: An increase in dental awareness and need to maintain good oral health, in a growing population will necessitate an increased demand for root canal treatment (endodontic treatment). In emerging economies like Nigeria, the trend appears similar to what obtains in more developed economies where patients are keen on retaining their teeth. The objective was to determine the reasons for endodontic treatment and pattern of demand for treatment among adult patients attending the Endodontic unit of a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of all clinical records of adult patients who attended the Endodontic unit of the Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Edo State, Nigeria from January 2012 to December 2014 for root canal treatment (RCT). The demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the patients' records and analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 485 patients, comprising 226(46.6%) males and 259(53.4%) females (a ratio of 1:1.4) underwent endodontic treatment during the study period. The age range of patients was 18-68 years. In the studied population, the highest demand for endodontic treatment 219(45.2%) was among the 20-29 years' age range. The commonest indication for RCT was irreversible pulpitis (48.4%). The total number of teeth treated was 522. More posterior teeth 338(64.8%) were treated than anterior 184(35.2%). The mandibular first molar 96(18.4%) was the most frequently treated tooth. More maxillary teeth 332(63.6%) underwent RCT than mandibular teeth 190(36. 4%).Endodontic treatment was mostly completed in multiple visits 439(84.1%). A total of 279 (57.5%) patients had their treatments covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Out of pocket payments accounted for 40.2% of patients who had endodontic treatment. Conclusion: There was a greater demand for root canal treatment among female and young adult patients. Most of the procedures were performed on maxillary teeth while the mandibular first molar was the most frequently treated tooth