Dens invaginatus: a retrospective study of prophylactic invagination treatment.

AIM

To evaluate the prognosis for pulp survival in teeth with dens invaginatus (DI) subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment.

DESIGN

A retrospective study by examination of dental records and radiographs.

SAMPLE AND METHODS

The dental records of all patients referred to the Eastman Dental Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, with the diagnosis dens invaginatus between the years 1969-1997 were reviewed. Clinical data was collected from the dental records and the diagnosis DI was confirmed on the radiographs from the time of referral. 95 teeth in 66 patients had been subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment. The retrospective evaluation was based on an examination of the radiographs available from the follow-ups.

RESULTS

11.3% of the teeth that were followed for 6 months or longer (n = 80) were judged as failures, All failures were initially classified as Oehlers type 2.

CONCLUSION

The findings stress the importance of a follow-up program for teeth subjected to prophylactic invagination treatment in order to avoid serious periradicular complications that could influence the outcome of the endodontic treatment.