Taurodontism
Encyclopedia
Taurodontism is a condition found in molar teeth where the body of the tooth and pulp
chamber is enlarged vertically at the expense of the roots. As a result, the floor of the pulp and the furcation of the tooth is moved apically down the root. The underlying mechanism
of taurodontism is the failure or late invagination of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath
, which is responsible for root formation and shaping causing an apical shift of the root furcation.
The constriction at the amelocemental junction is usually reduced or absent. Taurodontism is most commonly found in permanent dentition although the term is traditionally applied to molar teeth.
In some cases taurodontism seems to follow an autosomal dominant type of inheritance.
Taurodontism is found in association with amelogenesis imperfecta
, ectodermal dysplasia and tricho-dento-osseous syndrome.
The term means "bull like" teeth derived from similarity of these teeth to those of ungulate or cud-chewing animals.
According to Shaw these can be classified as hypotaurodont, hypertaurodont and mesotaurodont.
According to Mangion taurodontism may be:
1. A retrograde character
2. A primitive pattern
3. Mendelian recessive character
4. Atavistic feature
5. A mutation
The condition is of anthropological importance as it was seen in Neanderthals. It has also been reported in Klinefelter's syndrome
.
The teeth involved are invariably molars, sometimes single and at the other times multiple teeth may be involved. The teeth themselves may look normal and do not have any particular anatomical character on clinical examination.
On a dental radiograph, the involved tooth looks rectangular in shape without apical taper. The pulp chamber is extremely large and the furcations may be only a few millimeters long at times.
Pulp (tooth)
The dental pulp is the part in the center of a tooth made up of living connective tissue and cells called odontoblasts.- Anatomy :Each person can have a total of up to 52 pulp organs, 32 in the permanent and 20 in the primary teeth....
chamber is enlarged vertically at the expense of the roots. As a result, the floor of the pulp and the furcation of the tooth is moved apically down the root. The underlying mechanism
of taurodontism is the failure or late invagination of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath
Hertwig's epithelial root sheath
The Hertwig's epithelial root sheath is a proliferation of epithelial cells located at the cervical loop of the enamel organ in a developing tooth. Hertwig's epithelial root sheath initiates the formation of dentin in the root of a tooth by causing the differentiation of odontoblasts from the...
, which is responsible for root formation and shaping causing an apical shift of the root furcation.
The constriction at the amelocemental junction is usually reduced or absent. Taurodontism is most commonly found in permanent dentition although the term is traditionally applied to molar teeth.
In some cases taurodontism seems to follow an autosomal dominant type of inheritance.
Taurodontism is found in association with amelogenesis imperfecta
Amelogenesis imperfecta
Amelogenesis imperfecta presents with abnormal formation of the enamel or external layer of teeth. Enamel is composed mostly of mineral, that is formed and regulated by the proteins in it...
, ectodermal dysplasia and tricho-dento-osseous syndrome.
The term means "bull like" teeth derived from similarity of these teeth to those of ungulate or cud-chewing animals.
According to Shaw these can be classified as hypotaurodont, hypertaurodont and mesotaurodont.
According to Mangion taurodontism may be:
1. A retrograde character
2. A primitive pattern
3. Mendelian recessive character
4. Atavistic feature
5. A mutation
The condition is of anthropological importance as it was seen in Neanderthals. It has also been reported in Klinefelter's syndrome
Klinefelter's syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome, 46/47, XXY, or XXY syndrome is a condition in which human males have an extra X chromosome. While females have an XX chromosomal makeup, and males an XY, affected individuals have at least two X chromosomes and at least one Y chromosome...
.
The teeth involved are invariably molars, sometimes single and at the other times multiple teeth may be involved. The teeth themselves may look normal and do not have any particular anatomical character on clinical examination.
On a dental radiograph, the involved tooth looks rectangular in shape without apical taper. The pulp chamber is extremely large and the furcations may be only a few millimeters long at times.