Dens Invaginatus: prophylactic management

Abstract

Dens invaginatus is thought to be as a result of distortion of the enamel organ during tooth development and the subsequent protrusion of a part leading to the formation of a linear enamel canal that ends at the cingulum, or at the incisal border, producing an irregular crown shape. Food debris may become packed in this area with resultant caries and pulp necrosis and periradicular inflammation. The permanent maxillary lateral incisors are the most commonly involved teeth and bilateral involvement is not unusual.
Case Report
This is a report of bilateral involvement of the maxillary incisors with associated carious involvement of the coronal pits in a 43year old man with a high caries index. Composite filling of the palatal pits of the involved teeth was done as a prophylactic treatment to prevent carious exposure of the pulp and subsequent periradicular pathology.
Conclusion.
Prophylactic filling of the coronal pit is recommended to avoid pulpal and periradicular complications that may warrant extensive and expensive treatment or even loss of the involved tooth


Keywords: Dens invaginatus, prophylactic composite filling

Nigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 105-107