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Case Reports
. 2024 Nov 26;16(11):e74480.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74480. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Anatomical Insights: Two Case Reports on Protostylid Variants and Literature Synthesis

V Anu  1   2 , T Manigandan  3 , Xavier Dhayananth  4 , T Sarumathi  3 , T Vasanthakumar  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Anatomical Insights: Two Case Reports on Protostylid Variants and Literature Synthesis

V Anu et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Protostylids are an anatomical variant of the paramolar tubercle, which refers to the presence of an additional cusp in the buccal surfaces of maxillary and mandibular bicuspids and molars. This structure, first reported by Dahlberg in 1950, is found in low frequencies and plays a significant role in dental anthropology. This anatomical variant, if present poses a threat to dental caries and periodontal diseases and hence requires early diagnosis and preventive dental care. Two cases of protostylids that were reported during dental consultations at a primary health care center in Semmencheri, Chennai are presented in this article with an attempt to educate on the presence of such trait so that dental professionals can identify and plan preventive dental care at the earliest.

Keywords: anomaly; dental caries; paramolar tubercle; prevention; primary dental care; variant.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Protostylid present in the buccal surface of right second mandibular molar (case 1).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Protostylid present in the buccal surface of left second mandibular molar (case 2).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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