The Prevalence and the Association with Periodontal Health in Teeth with Palato-Radicular Groove: Clinical Examination and Computed Tomography Image Analysis

Abstract

Palato-radicular grooves are developmental anomalies of the maxillary incisors. The aim of the present article is to evaluate the prevalence and classification of palato-radicular grooves, the association with periodontal health in maxillary incisors with palato-radicular grooves through clinical oral examination and computed tomography image analysis. The results showed there were 46 teeth with palato-radicular grooves in 157 maxillary incisors of 43 patients. The prevalence was 29% and the palato-radicular grooves in maxillary lateral incisors were more common than in maxillary central incisors. The highest percentage (78%) of palato-radicular groove was in the mid-palatal side of upper incisors. The proportion of ≥ 5 mm probing depth was higher in the teeth with palate-radicular grooves than without palate-radicular grooves. The consistency between the clinical examination and computed tomography images was 87%. In conclusion, teeth with palato-radicular groove were associated with poor periodontal health and could be a risk factor. Because of poor resolution of computed tomography image, we still could not differentiate the depth of groove extension definitely. We hope to overcome this problem and realize more about groove extension and the association of periodontal health.