Evaluation of Gubernaculum Dentis Characteristics in Impacted and Unerupted Permanent Teeth: A CBCT-Based Study

Year 2025, Volume: 26 Issue: 3, 295 - 302, 22.09.2025

Zuhal Ovuz , Özlem Büşra Doğan

https://doi.org/10.69601/meandrosmdj.1664841

Abstract

Objective
This study aims to characterize the imaging features of the gubernaculum dentis in impacted or unerupted permanent teeth. It also investigates whether these features differ between individuals with eruption-related pathologies and those without associated pathological conditions.

Materials and Methods
A case-control design was employed, comprising 110 individuals in the study group (pathology-associated impacted/unerupted teeth) and 112 individuals in the control group (impacted/unerupted teeth without pathology). Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-Square test, which is appropriate for evaluating associations between categorical variables. In instances where multiple group comparisons were necessary, the Bonferroni-corrected Z-test was applied to adjust for the increased risk of Type I error due to multiple testing, thereby maintaining the overall statistical validity.

Results
A statistically significant association was observed between GD status (absent, present, or enlarged) and group classification (pathology vs. control; p < 0.001). Specifically, GD absence was more prevalent in the pathology group (53.6%) compared to controls (26.1%). No significant age-related differences were detected between genders (p = 0.307).

Conclusion
The findings demonstrate an inverse relationship between GD presence and pathological conditions associated with impacted or unerupted teeth. This suggests that GD absence or enlargement may serve as a radiographic marker for underlying odontogenic pathologies. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanistic role of GD in eruption disturbances.

Keywords

pathology , gubernaculum tract , impacted tooth , gubernaculum canal

Ethical Statement

approved

Supporting Institution

none

Thanks

none

Gömülü ve Sürmemiş Daimi Dişlerde Gubernakulum Dentis Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi: KIBT Tabanlı Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Giriş
Bu çalışmanın amacı, gömülü veya sürmemiş daimi dişlerde gubernaculum dentisin görüntüleme özelliklerini tanımlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Ayrıca, bu özelliklerin sürme ile ilişkili patolojileri olan ve ilişkili patolojik durumları olmayan bireyler arasında farklılık gösterip göstermediğini araştırmaktadır.

Materyal ve Metot
Çalışma, vaka-kontrol tasarımı ile gerçekleştirildi. Çalışma grubunu patoloji ile ilişkili gömülü/sürmemiş dişlere sahip 110 birey, kontrol grubunu ise patolojiye bağlı olmadan gömülü/sürmemiş dişlere sahip 112 birey oluşturdu. Kategorik değişkenler, kategorik değişkenler arasındaki ilişkileri değerlendirmek için uygun olan Pearson Ki-Kare testi ile analiz edilmiştir. Birden fazla grup karşılaştırmasının gerekli olduğu durumlarda, çoklu testlerin neden olabileceği Tip I hata riskini azaltmak ve genel istatistiksel geçerliliği korumak amacıyla Bonferroni düzeltmeli Z testi uygulanmıştır.

Bulgular
GD durumu (yok, mevcut veya genişlemiş) ile grup sınıflandırması (patoloji vs. kontrol) arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulundu (p < 0.001). GD’nin yokluğu, patoloji grubunda (%53,6) kontrol grubuna (%26,1) kıyasla daha yaygındı. Cinsiyetler arasında yaşa bağlı anlamlı bir fark gözlenmedi (p = 0.307).

Sonuç
Bulgular, GD varlığı ile gömülü veya sürmemiş dişlerle ilişkili patolojik durumlar arasında ters ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu durum, GD yokluğunun veya genişlemesinin, altta yatan odontojenik patolojiler için radyografik bir belirteç olarak kullanılabileceğini düşündürmektedir. GD’nin erüpsiyon bozukluklarındaki mekanik rolünü açıklamak için daha ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Keywords

patoloji , gubernakulum yolu , gömülü diş , gubernakulum kanal

References

• 1. Almufleh l, Ghorı s, vyas r, Vagısha k, Mupparapu m, Creanga ag, et al. Gubernaculum Dentıs ın a Transmıgratıng Canıne: Case Report and Literature Revıew. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2019 Jan;127(1):45.
• 2. Chaudhry A, Sobti G. Imaging characteristics of Gubernacular Tract on CBCT- A pictorial review. Oral Radiol. 2021 Jul 1;37(3):355–65.
• 3. Koc N, Boyacioglu Dogru H, Cagirankaya LB, Dural S, van der Stelt PF. CBCT assessment of gubernacular canals in relation to eruption disturbance and pathologic condition associated with impacted/unerupted teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2019 Feb 1;127(2):175–84.
• 4. Oda M, Nishida I, Habu M, Takahashi O, Tsurushima H, Otani T, et al. Overview of radiological studies on visualization of gubernaculum tracts of permanent teeth. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul 2;10(14).
• 5. Cahill DR, Marks SC. Tooth eruption: evidence for the central role of the dental follicle. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine. 1980;9(4):189–200.
• 6. Ide F, Mishima K, Kikuchi K, Horie N, Yamachika S, Satomura K, et al. Development and Growth of Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor Related to Formation and Eruption of Teeth. Head Neck Pathol. 2011 Jun;5(2):123–32.
• 7. Nishida I, Oda M, Tanaka T, Kito S, Seta Y, Yada N, et al. Detection and imaging characteristics of the gubernacular tract in children on cone beam and multidetector computed tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2015;120(2):e109–17.
• 8. Oda M, Nishida I, Miyamoto I, Habu M, Yoshiga D, Kodama M, et al. Characteristics of the gubernaculum tracts in mesiodens and maxillary anterior teeth with delayed eruption on MDCT and CBCT. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016 Oct 1;122(4):511–6.
• 9. Oda M, Miyamoto I, Nishida I, Tanaka T, Kito S, Seta Y, et al. A spatial association between odontomas and the gubernaculum tracts. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016;121(1):91–5.
• 10. Brisco J, Fuller K, Lee N, Andrew D. Cone beam computed tomography for imaging orbital trauma - Image quality and radiation dose compared with conventional multislice computed tomography. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2014 Jan;52(1):76–80.
• 11. Lale R, Ayşe Zeynep Z. Evaluation of the Relationship between Gubernaculum Dentis and Tooth Development with Cone Beam Computed Tomography. International Journal of Oral and Craniofacial Science
• 12. Gâ Eta-Araujo H, Bronetti Da Silva M, Tirapelli C, Deborah ;, Freitas Q, De Oliveira-Santos C. Detection of the gubernacular canal and its attachment to the dental follicle may indicate an abnormal eruption status. meridian.allenpress.comH Gaêta-Araujo, MB da Silva, C Tirapelli, DQ Freitas, C de Oliveira-SantosThe Angle Orthodontist, 2019
• 13. Philipsen H, PKJ of O, 2016 undefined. The adenomatoid odontogenic tumour: an update of selected issues. Wiley Online LibraryHP Philipsen, P Khongkhunthiang, PA ReichartJournal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 2016
• 14. Kearns GJ, Smith R. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour: An unusual cause of gingival swelling in a 3-year-old patient. Br Dent J. 1996 Nov 23;181(10):380–2.
• 15. Imaoka S, Moriyama A, Shiratsuchi H, Tamagawa T, Asano M. Developing odontoma (ameloblastic fibro-odontoma) of the mandible: Report of a case with radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. J Oral Maxillofac Surg Med Pathol [Internet]. 2024 Jul 1 [cited 2025 May 14];36(4):648–51.
• 16. White SC., Pharoah MJ. Oral Radiology - E-Book : Principles and Interpretation. 2014
• 17. Kamarthi N, Gupta D, Gotur S. ’Radiographic demonstration of association of ubernaculum Dentis(Gubernaculum tract) in odontogenic cysts and tumors’-A CBCT finding. Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging. 2020 Jul 1;30(3):340–3.
• 18. Liu P, Li R, Cheng Y, Li B, Wei L, Li W, et al. Morphological variation of gubernacular tracts for permanent mandibular canines in eruption: a three-dimensional analysis. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology
• 19. Behrouzi E, Abesi F, Ghorbani H, Gholinia H. Association between gubernacular canals characteristics and teeth eruption status: a cone-beam computed tomography study. J Clin Exp Dent
• 20. Uğurlu M, Kılıç M, Günen Yılmaz S, Sağlam H, Bilgir E. Retrospective evaluation of the Gubernacular Tract in Impacted/Unerupted Teeth with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography. avesis.ogu.edu.trM Uğurlu, M Kılıç, SG Yılmaz, H Sağlam, E BilgirJ Innovative Approaches Med,
• 21. Gupta D, Kamarthi N, Gotur S, Bhalla K. Gubernaculum tract: A guide for determining odontogenic lesions. Journal of Indian Academy of Oral Medicine and Radiology. 2020 Jan 1;32(1):90–1.
• 22. Oda M, Nishida I, Miyamoto I, Saeki K, Tanaka T, Kito S, et al. Significance and usefulness of imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts for the diagnosis of odontogenic tumors or cysts. PLoS One. 2018 Jul 1;13(7).