Systemic Statin Use and Pulp Chamber Calcification: A Pilot Retrospective Case Control Study Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Abstract

This pilot retrospective case-control study questioned whether systemic statin use causes pulp calcification using cone-beam computed tomography images from the patients prescribed oral statins and comparing those of healthy individuals. CBCT scans of 54 patients, including 27 age- and sex-matched patients for the study and control groups, were analysed using Mimics Innovation Suite software. The study included patients using statins regularly for at least 1 year. Only intact teeth with opposing teeth were selected for the study group and matched with the control group. Dental crown and pulp chamber volumes were calculated and proportioned. The data were analysed with chi-square and Shapiro-Wilk tests to assess normal distribution, followed by Mann-Whitney U test if necessary. Statistical analysis showed no difference between the study and control groups (p = 0.505). Statin use duration did not cause statistically significant difference in terms of the reduction of pulp chamber volume (p = 0.141). Within the limitations of the study, systemic statin use did not cause dental pulp calcification. The results suggest, oral administration of the statin drugs is not an unfavourable condition for dental practice. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to support this conclusion.