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Taurodontism: A dental rarity in modern man
Taurodontism: A dental rarity in modern man
T
aurodontism, or large p~11p cavities, has been known to occur modern man. Although no adequate explanation of this condition the dental literature, some references haw been discovered in the literature. This type of tooth and pulp chamber wached their highest
Fig.
236
1. All
permanent
teeth
reveal
enormous
pulp
clmmlxvs.
occasionally in can be found in anthropologj cal development
in
Volume Number
Taurodontism
20 2
237
Heidelberg man. In the three types of Heidelberg man (western, central, and eastern), they reached their highest development in the teeth of specimens found in the vicinity of Krapina, which is in Croatia (now part of Yugoslavia). It is postulated that this condition is inherited as an aut,osomal recessive trait. Taurodontism does occur occasionally in modern man, but no record can be found of its having appeared previously in an American Caucasian. CASE
REPORT
A 13.year-old Caucasian girl sought, treatment for a “tooth growing in the roof of the mouth. ” Clinical examination revealed an alert, well-nourished girl whose physical development, was consistent with her age. Clinical findings of importance included a retrognathic mandible and partial impaction of all four permanent second premolars. Dental development was within normal standards, and inspection of the oral soft tissues revealed nothing remarkable. The enamel was normal in appearance, with few restorations, and no decay was present. Full-mouth roentgenograms were taken prior to surgical intervention. Grossly enlarged pulp chambers in all the permanent teeth, especially the first molars, were evidenced along with minimal root formation (Fig. 1). This material was forwarded to Dr. Carl Witkop, Jr., Chief, Human Genetics Section, National lnstitute of Dental Research, ~vl-ho made the diagnosis and graciously supplied literature references. Unsuccessful attempts were made to encourage the parents and siblings of this patient to have a family study made. Surgical intervention became necessary, and the right mandibular first molar was extracted. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative course and refused further studies.
DISCUSSION
A case of taurodontism has been presented. This case provided no complication to extraction but is, however, interesting from the standpoint of diagnosis. It is believed to be the first documented case of taurodont,ism in an American Caucasian. REFERENCES
1. Lasker, G. W., and Lee, M. M. C.: Dentists 24: 194-196, 1957. 3. Manson-Hing, L. R.: Roentgeno-oddities: 16:
305,
3. Moorrees, Press. 4. Witkop, 6580
Racial
Traits
in
Taurodontisrn,
t,he Human
Dentition,
J. Am.
0.
& 0.
0.
SURG.,
Mass.,
1957,
MED.
Coil. PATH.
1963.
C. F. Carl
Kenvicw
A.
J., Jr.: Dr.
The
Aleut
Personal
Dentition, correspondence.
Cambridge,
Harvard
University
T
aurodontism, or large p~11p cavities, has been known to occur modern man. Although no adequate explanation of this condition the dental literature, some references haw been discovered in the literature. This type of tooth and pulp chamber wached their highest
Fig.
236
1. All
permanent
teeth
reveal
enormous
pulp
clmmlxvs.
occasionally in can be found in anthropologj cal development
in
Volume Number
Taurodontism
20 2
237
Heidelberg man. In the three types of Heidelberg man (western, central, and eastern), they reached their highest development in the teeth of specimens found in the vicinity of Krapina, which is in Croatia (now part of Yugoslavia). It is postulated that this condition is inherited as an aut,osomal recessive trait. Taurodontism does occur occasionally in modern man, but no record can be found of its having appeared previously in an American Caucasian. CASE
REPORT
A 13.year-old Caucasian girl sought, treatment for a “tooth growing in the roof of the mouth. ” Clinical examination revealed an alert, well-nourished girl whose physical development, was consistent with her age. Clinical findings of importance included a retrognathic mandible and partial impaction of all four permanent second premolars. Dental development was within normal standards, and inspection of the oral soft tissues revealed nothing remarkable. The enamel was normal in appearance, with few restorations, and no decay was present. Full-mouth roentgenograms were taken prior to surgical intervention. Grossly enlarged pulp chambers in all the permanent teeth, especially the first molars, were evidenced along with minimal root formation (Fig. 1). This material was forwarded to Dr. Carl Witkop, Jr., Chief, Human Genetics Section, National lnstitute of Dental Research, ~vl-ho made the diagnosis and graciously supplied literature references. Unsuccessful attempts were made to encourage the parents and siblings of this patient to have a family study made. Surgical intervention became necessary, and the right mandibular first molar was extracted. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative course and refused further studies.
DISCUSSION
A case of taurodontism has been presented. This case provided no complication to extraction but is, however, interesting from the standpoint of diagnosis. It is believed to be the first documented case of taurodont,ism in an American Caucasian. REFERENCES
1. Lasker, G. W., and Lee, M. M. C.: Dentists 24: 194-196, 1957. 3. Manson-Hing, L. R.: Roentgeno-oddities: 16:
305,
3. Moorrees, Press. 4. Witkop, 6580
Racial
Traits
in
Taurodontisrn,
t,he Human
Dentition,
J. Am.
0.
& 0.
0.
SURG.,
Mass.,
1957,
MED.
Coil. PATH.
1963.
C. F. Carl
Kenvicw
A.
J., Jr.: Dr.
The
Aleut
Personal
Dentition, correspondence.
Cambridge,
Harvard
University