A Retrospective Panoramic Radiographic Study on Prevalence of Pulp Stones in South Karnataka Population

Background: Pulp stones are calcification in the dental pulp which can be present either in deciduous or permanent teeth. Exact causes of pulp stones are not known and several elements have been associated. It can be seen in healthy, diseased or as a part of various syndromes. Frequency of pulp stones fluctuated from 8 to 95% depending on the population studied. Our study is an attempt to know the prevalence of pulp stones in radiographs of South Karnataka population and to assess probable relations between pulp stones and gender, type of tooth, dental arch and quadrant. Comparison of our results with published documents was done and our study statistics can be considered as an added information in the field of forensic dentistry. Materials and methods: One thousand panoramic radiographs were retrospectively evaluated which included 576 females 424 males aged between 18 and 70 years. A total of 27,184 teeth were examined for the presence of pulp stones. Associations of pulp stones with sex, tooth type, dental arch and side were noted. Results: Pulp stones prevalence was 7.5% of subjects. Out of 27,184 teeth examined, 394 teeth revealed pulp stones (1.45%). Occurrences were rare in premolars (2%) but significantly higher in molars (54.6%). Pulp stones were seen more in first molars than second molars and in maxillary first molars than in mandibular first molars. Pulp stones were commonly seen in 26 to 45 years age group. Conclusion: Pulp stones may provide useful forensic infor­ mation when examining dental records to identify deceased persons. Dental features vary among different population and thus knowing the prevalence is significant in the forensic aspect.