Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Narrowing of the radicular pulp space in coronally restored teeth

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Clinical Oral Investigations Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

Narrowed radicular pulp spaces are frequently observed in teeth wearing extended restorations. The present study investigates whether the narrowing of particularly the radicular pulp space can be attributed to coronal restorations.

Materials and methods

The study is based on an anonymized copy of the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) database from the Center of Dental Medicine of the University of Zurich. One hundred CBCT scans were selected out of 7317 data sets to match either a crowned (group A; n = 50) or a filled tooth (group B; n = 50) with a contralateral healthy, unrestored, and caries-free control tooth at the same position, respectively. Cross-sectional images were adjusted in the coronal, middle, and apical root third of each subjected tooth. Screenshots were taken in that position and analyzed. The area occupied by the pulp space was determined as percentage area of the whole root diameter on each cross section. The resulting values were compared between restored and control teeth.

Results

In both groups (crowned and filled teeth) and in all the three root thirds, the radicular pulp space was significantly narrower in the restored teeth compared to the control teeth. The strongest narrowing effect was observed in the coronal root third and it decreased towards the apical root third (both groups).

Conclusions

Teeth with coronal restorations show within the limitations of the present study a significant narrowing of their radicular pulp space.

Clinical relevance

The asserted narrowing could have a complicating effect if root canal treatment becomes necessary in those teeth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Morse DR, Esposito JV, Schoor RS (1993) A radiographic study of aging changes of the dental pulp and dentin in normal teeth. Quintessence Int 24:329–333

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Morse DR (1991) Age-related changes of the dental pulp complex and their relationship to systemic aging. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 72:721–745

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Murray PE, Stanley HR, Matthews JB, Sloan AJ, Smith AJ (2002) Age-related odontometric changes of human teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 93:474–482

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McCabe PS, Dummer PM (2012) Pulp canal obliteration: an endodontic diagnosis and treatment challenge. Int Endod J 45:177–197

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ngeow WC, Thong YL (1998) Gaining access through a calcified pulp chamber: a clinical challenge. Int Endod J 31:367–371

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Schindler WG, Gullickson DC (1988) Rationale for the management of calcific metamorphosis secondary to traumatic injuries. J Endod 14:408–412

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McCabe PS (2006) Avoiding perforations in endodontics. J Ir Dent Assoc 52:139–148

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Chrysanthakopoulos NA (2011) Reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Greece: a five-year follow-up study. Int Dent J 61:19–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Ng YL, Mann V, Gulabivala K (2011) A prospective study of the factors affecting outcomes of non-surgical root canal treatment: part 2: tooth survival. Int Endod J 44:610–625

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Vire DE (1991) Failure of endodontically treated teeth: classification and evaluation. J Endod 17:338–342

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Tsesis I, Rosenberg E, Faivishevsky V, Kfir A, Katz M, Rosen E (2010) Prevalence and associated periodontal status of teeth with root perforation: a retrospective study of 2,002 patients’ medical records. J Endod 36:797–800

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Schroeder HE (1991) Pathobiology of oral structures: teeth, pulp, periodontum. Karger, Basel

  13. Benzer S (1948) The development and morphology of physiological secondary dentin. J Dent Res 27:640–646

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bevelander G, Benzer S (1943) Morphology and incidence of secondary dentin in human teeth. J Am Dent Assoc 30:1075–1082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Schroeder HE, Krey G, Preisig E (1990) Age-related changes of the pulpal dentin wall in human front teeth. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed 100:1450–1461

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Schroeder HE (1993) Age-related changes in the pulp chamber and its wall in human canine teeth. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed 103:141–149

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Philippas GG, Applebaum E (1968) Age change in the permanent upper canine teeth. J Dent Res 47:411–417

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Philippas GG, Applebaum E (1967) Age changes in the permanent upper lateral incisor. J Dent Res 46:1002–1009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Kuttler Y (1959) Classification of dentine into primary, secondary, and tertiary. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 12:996–999

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sayegh FS, Reed AJ (1968) Calcification in the dental pulp. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 25:873–882

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Moss-Salentijn L, Hendricks-Klyvert M (1988) Calcified structures in human dental pulps. J Endod 14:184–189

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Goga R, Chandler NP, Oginni AO (2008) Pulp stones: a review. Int Endod J 41:457–468

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Philippas GG (1961) Influence of occlusal wear and age on formation of dentin and size of pulp chamber. J Dent Res 40:1186–1198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sener S, Cobankara FK, Akgunlu F (2009) Calcifications of the pulp chamber: prevalence and implicated factors. Clin Oral Investig 13:209–215

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Sundell JR, Stanley HR, White CL (1968) The relationship of coronal pulp stone formation to experimental operative procedures. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 25:579–589

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Bjorndal L (2001) Presence or absence of tertiary dentinogenesis in relation to caries progression. Adv Dent Res 15:80–83

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Murray PE, About I, Lumley PJ, Smith G, Franquin JC, Smith AJ (2000) Postoperative pulpal and repair responses. J Am Dent Assoc 131:321–329

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Woods MA, Robinson QC, Harris EF (1990) Age-progressive changes in pulp widths and root lengths during adulthood: a study of American blacks and whites. Gerodontology 9:41–50

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Piattelli A (1992) Generalized “complete” calcific degeneration or pulp obliteration. Endod Dent Traumatol 8:259–263

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Piattelli A, Trisi P (1993) Pulp obliteration: a histological study. J Endod 19:252–254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Holcomb JB, Gregory WBJ (1967) Calcific metamorphosis of the pulp: its incidence and treatment. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 24:825–830

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Patterson SS, Mitchell DF (1965) Calcific metamorphosis of the dental pulp. Oral Surg 20:94–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Cariology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland

    Senta Fleig & Thomas Attin

  2. Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Center of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Welschnonnenstrasse 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany

    Holger Jungbluth

Authors
  1. Senta Fleig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Thomas Attin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Holger Jungbluth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Holger Jungbluth.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

The work was supported by the Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Cariology of the Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in the present study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Ethical approval was given by the local ethical committee (Kantonale Ethikkommission Zürich, submission No. KEK-ZH-Nr. 2014-0099).

Informed consent

For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fleig, S., Attin, T. & Jungbluth, H. Narrowing of the radicular pulp space in coronally restored teeth. Clin Oral Invest 21, 1251–1257 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-016-1899-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-016-1899-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation