Exploring Taurodontism Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study of Its Morphology and Association with C-Shaped Canal

TL;DR

This study uses advanced imaging to explore taurodontic teeth and their link to C-shaped canals, which can help improve dental treatments.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and morphology of taurodontism and its association with C-shaped canals using CBCT imaging.

Findings

Taurodontism prevalence was 9% overall, with higher occurrence in maxillary teeth.

C-shaped canals were significantly more common in taurodontic teeth (15.4%).

Abstract

Taurodontic teeth are known for complex root canal configurations, including C-shaped canals, further complicating dental procedures. Given the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by taurodontism,
understanding its prevalence and its relationship with canal morphology, especially through modern imaging techniques, is essential for improving clinical outcomes.

This study aimed to investigate taurodontism and explore its association with C-shaped canals using CBCT images from 2020 to 2024. This enhanced imaging technology will provide a more detailed view than panoramic imaging.

This retrospective analytical study examined 700 jaws (350 lower and 350 upper), chosen through simple random sampling from CBCT images originally taken for therapeutic purposes in individuals aged 14 and above.
Teeth were evaluated based on Shifman and Chanannel's criteria and categorized as hypotaurodontism, mesotaurodontism, or hypertaurodontism according to morphology. Additionally, the study investigated
the presence and types of C-shaped canals in the teeth.

In this study, the median age of the cases was 40 years, with 63.7% female and 36.3% male. The overall prevalence of taurodontism in teeth, regardless of jaw and tooth type, was 9%. Taurodontism was predominantly
bilateral (84.7%) and mild (75%). It was significantly more common in maxillary teeth than mandibular teeth (p< 0.001), with the highest prevalence in the second and first maxillary molar teeth. Sex did
not show a significant association with taurodontism prevalence (p= 0.208), type (p= 0.371), laterality (p= 0.627), as well as the involved tooth. Additionally, the prevalence of C-shaped canals was 15.4%,
and it was significantly higher in individuals with taurodontism (p< 0.001).

Taurodontism was found to be relatively common in the patients studied, with a high prevalence. Due to the challenging nature of treating taurodontic teeth, practitioners should be aware of the potential
presence of C-shaped canals when encountering taurodontism in radiographic images.

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