A Retrospective Analysis of Pulp Stones in Patients following Orthodontic Treatment

Aim: The present study aimed to find prevalence of pulp stones in known South Indian orthodontic patients and to find correlation between pulp stones and patients who underwent orthodontic treatment as well as to reveal any differences due to gender, tooth type, and dental arches.

Materials and methods: The present retrospective study was carried out among 200 patients who underwent nonextraction orthodontic treatment. Maxillary and mandibular first and second premolar and molar teeth were selected for the purpose of the study using panoramic radiographs. A total of 3200 teeth of 200 patients were studied for the presence of pulp stones. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was carried out using Statistical Package for Social the Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Chi-square test was applied to find the significant value and p < 0.05 was considered as a significant value.

Results: In all, 11.5% of cases reported pulp stones before the commencement of the orthodontic treatment and 15.5% cases after completion of orthodontic treatment. Overall, 4% increase in cases were found which was statistically significant (p < 0.05); 5.1% of total number of teeth were evaluated in both arches before orthodontic treatment and 6.3% of teeth after orthodontic treatment revealed the presence of pulp stones. Maxillary first molar was found to be teeth with maximum number of pulp stones before and after orthodontic treatment.

Conclusion: The present study reported the prevalence of pulp stones to be increased by 4% in the pre- and posttreat-ment radiographs, which was statistically significant. The study found the presence of pulp stones more in maxillary first molar and it was found to be teeth with maximum number of pulp stones before and after orthodontic treatment. However, further researches with larger samples are advisable.

Clinical significance: Dentists performing endodontic treatment among patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment should be aware about the increased chances of presence of pulp stones and thus to avoid hindrances encountered during extirpating the pulp, they should thoroughly study the radiographs beforehand.