A micro computed tomography examination of dens invaginatus type 2 in an approximately 2000 year-old maxillary molar tooth—a case report

Year 2013, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 45 - 50, 31.12.2014

Ali Keleş , Yılmaz Selim Erdal Mustafa Ersöz Ömür Dilek Erdal

Abstract

A case of dens invaginatus was found on a maxillary molar. This tooth was unearthed from a
grave complex in Perge, one of the major cities of the province of Pamphilia in Southern
Anatolia. Based on archaeological findings, most of the graves of Perge were dated to the 2nd
and 3rd century AD. A commercially available high-resolution micro-computed tomography
(SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan the tooth. From the
visual analysis of the three-dimensional micro CT reconstruction, the invagination lumen has
a coronal entrance. Communication between pulp and invagination lumen was not detected.
In the micro CT images, it is apparent that the density of the enamel around the invagination
is less than the coronal enamel. Micro CT analysis showed that the invaginated ancient tooth
shares the same anatomical and morphological features as modern dentition. However, to
understand the origin, frequency, and tendencies of invagination it is proposed that similar
studies on further ancient human skeletal populations be conducted.

Keywords

dens invaginatus, dental anomaly, micro-computed tomography

References

• Abbasoğlu H. (2001) The founding of Perge and ıts development in the Hellenistic and Roman period. Urbanizing in Western Asia Minor, In: Parrish D. JRA, Suppl, 45:172-188.