Treatment of a hypertaurodontic maxillary second molar in a patient with 10 taurodonts: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Taurodontism is an aberration in tooth morphology characterized by vertically enlarged pulp chambers, apical displacement of pulp floors, and short roots. So far in the literature, no more than 8 taurodonts have been reported in 1 patient. The aim of this case report was to describe the endodontic management of a hypertaurodont maxillary second molar and to present a rare case with 10 taurodonts in a black man with a biometric analysis using cone-beam computed tomographic imaging.

Methods: An 18 year-old black man was referred to the postgraduate endodontic clinic for emergency treatment. The patient's medical history was noncontributory. Tooth #2 had lingering pain in response to the cold test and was positive to both percussion and palpation. Radiographic examination showed the characteristics of taurodontism and periapical radiolucency around the root apices of tooth #2. Tooth #2 was diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis. The tooth was endodontically treated in 2 appointments. A panoramic radiograph showed multiple taurodontism. At the follow-up, a cone-beam computed tomographic scan was taken to further evaluate and diagnose taurodontism. Ten molars showed taurodontism including 7 hypertaurodonts, 2 mesotaurodonts, and a hypotaurodont. High variations of root canal anatomy were observed among taurodonts including maxillary and mandibular hypertaurodonts with C-shape canals.

Conclusions: The present case describes 10 taurodonts in a patient with no specific syndromes and endodontic treatment of a hypertaurodont maxillary second molar. Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging may be useful in the evaluation and management of the anatomic complexity of roots and root canals of taurodonts.

Keywords: C-shape; Cone-beam computed tomographic imaging; endodontic treatment; hypertaurodont; taurodontism.