A radiographic assessment of the prevalence of idiopathic pulp calcifications in permanent teeth: A retrospective radiographic study

Abstract

Introduction: Pulp calcifications are relatively frequent findings on dental radiographs. They may be seen in primary, permanent, erupted or unerupted teeth. Calcifications within the pulp are seen in such a frequency that it may be questioned whether their presence represents a pathological state or a mere occurrence of normal biological variation. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of idiopathic pulp calcifications in permanent teeth by using digital orthopantomographs (OPG), and to report any association between the occurrence of pulp calcifications with gender, tooth type, dental arches, and the side of the dental arch. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 digital panoramic radiographs of an equal number of male and female patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were examined. The sample was composed of 150 patients within the age group of 15-50 years. Four thousand three hundred and ninety-nine teeth were evaluated and the pulp calcifications were assessed. The frequency of occurrence of pulp calcifications between gender, tooth type, dental arches, and the side of the dental arch were compared. Results: From 150 orthopantomographs (OPGs), a total of 4399 teeth were examined, and the total number of patients with pulp calcifications were 80 (41 females and 39 males). The overall distribution was more in females, in the maxillary arches, and in the first molars. Patients with bilateral pulp calcifications were more than those with unilateral pulp calcifications. Conclusion: The pulp calcifications assessed in this study were of idiopathic origin, as only healthy patients and healthy teeth were included in the study. Most of the pulp calcifications were seen in the young age group. Therefore, pulp calcifications could be a normal biological variation within the pulp.