Prevalence of taurodontism in premolars among patients at a tertiary care institution in Trinidad.

OBJECTIVES

A study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of taurodontism in premolars in a group of adult dental patients in Trinidad and Tobago since there is no such data available for the region.

METHODS

Periapical and orthopantomograms of 1090 randomly selected patients were examined for the presence of an apically displaced pulp chamber without the usual constriction at the cementoenamel junction.

RESULTS

Prevalence of taurodontism in a sample of 1090 patients was 11.28%. Of the 5324 premolars examined, 4.79% were taurodonts. Prevalence of taurodontism was higher in males (6.46%) compared to females (3.66%). A Statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) was observed in the prevalence of taurodontism in mandibular premolars compared to maxillary premolars (9.07% vs 0.56%).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of taurodontism in premolars among Trinidadian patients, as assessed by radiographic study, was 4.79% and it was higher in the males compared to females. Significant differences were also observed between mandibular and maxillary premolars.