Prevalence and Distribution of Taurodontism and Pyramidal Molar Morphology in the Primary and Permanent Dentitions: A Retrospective Study in a Turkish Pediatric Population from Southeastern Anatolia.

Background/

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence and distribution of taurodontism and pyramidal molar morphology in primary and permanent dentitions of children aged 6-16 years in Diyarbakır, Türkiye.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1167 digital panoramic radiographs was conducted. Taurodontism was diagnosed according to the Shifman and Chananel criteria, while pyramidal molar morphology was evaluated as an independent anomaly. Prevalence, distribution, and symmetry were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kappa test.

Results

The individual and tooth prevalence of taurodontism was 6.60% and 2.44%, respectively, with significantly higher frequencies in the permanent dentition, maxilla, and permanent second molars (p < 0.001). Hypotaurodontism was the predominant subtype (81.5%). Pyramidal molar morphology was identified in 1.54% of individuals and 0.83% of teeth, with a significant female predominance (p = 0.022). Both anomalies exhibited high rates of bilateral involvement (85.7% for taurodontism and 72.2% for pyramidal molars). Pyramidal morphology was identified in 24 primary molars (0.58%). Among cases with available parental panoramic radiographs, the identification of the same morphology in at least one parent suggests potential familial aggregation, although further large-scale prospective genetic studies are required to confirm hereditary inheritance models.

Conclusions

Taurodontism and pyramidal molar morphology are clinically significant developmental root variations in children. The quantitative documentation of pyramidal morphology in primary dentition addresses an important gap in the literature. Early radiographic recognition is essential for treatment planning and may serve as a helpful clinical indicator that prompts further genetic or systemic evaluation in suspected syndromic cases.