ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine, retrospectively, the prevalence and distribution of the dilaceration of the root for each tooth-type in a sample of Central Anatolian Turkish population by using panoramic radiographs.

Method: Panoramic radiograhs of 6912 patients (3860 women and 3052 men, mean age 29.04 years, range, 15 to 50 years) were examined for the presence of root dilacerations. Chi-square test was also used to compare the prevalence of dilacerations between male and female subjects and upper and lower jaws.

Results: Data showed that 1108 (16.0%) of these subjects had one or more teeth that were dilacerated and these were detected in 466 (15.2%) males and 642 (16.6%) females. Statistical analysis (χ2 test) showed a significant difference in the prevalence of dilaceration among male and female patients. Mandibular third molars were dilacerated most often (3.76%), followed by mandibular second molars (1.81%). Dilaceration was found in 1.23% of maxillary second premolars and 1.23% of mandibular second molars.

Conclusion: Root dilacerations are not uncommon among Turkish dental patients, and their early detection could be important in treatment problems associated with it. However, further larger scale studies are required to assess its prevalence in the general population in order to compare it with other ethnic groups.