Taurodontism in dental genetics

Abstract

Taurodontism is a dental anomaly defined by enlargement of the pulp chamber of multirooted teeth with apical displacement of the pulp floor and bifurcation of the roots. Taurodontism can be an isolated trait or part of a syndrome. A study was conducted to document the dental and craniofacial aspects of genetic thin bone disorders in South Africa. Sixty-four individuals with Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), one individual with Pyle disease and one with Torg-Winchester syndrome respectively, were assessed clinically, radiographically and at a molecular level. Ten patients with OI XI and those with Pyle disease and Torg-Winchester syndrome had taurodontism. Taurodontism has been identified in several genetic disorders necessitating cognizance of the possible existence and implications of this characteristic when managing patients in the dental environment. Further studies should be directed toward identifying the incidence, etiology, and molecular pathways leading to taurodontism and its relationship to genetic syndromes.