Original scientific paper
Morphological Variations of Permanent Molars in Patients with Down’s Syndrome: Analysis of Root Fusion
Ilija Škrinjarić
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marijan Gašpar
; Dom zdravlja »Petar Vitezica«, Split, Hrvatska
Ivana Bagić
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Domagoj Glavina
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The tooth root morphology in 46 patients (21 males and 25 fe males)
with chromosomally verified trisomy 21 or Down’s syndrome (DS) was examined using orthopantomograms. The study was done to determine the prevalence and distribution o f root fusion in 294 permanent molars (149 in maxilla, and 145 in mandible). The purpose o f the present study was also to establish whether sex differences in prevalence o f root fusion exist within the sample o f DS patients. Fused roots were found in 50,7% o f all molars. Maxillary molars displayed root fusion more frequently (65,1%) than mandibular molars (35,9%). Female DS patients had significantly more molars with fused roots in mandible (44,6%) than males DS patients (24,2%), while percentages in maxilla were almost equal. Frequencies o f fused roots in DS patients were compared with fin dings obtained on 889 molars in 119 healthy persons. Prevalence o f root fusion in DS patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls for all molars in both jaws. Bilateral symmetry o f root fu sion has been observed for all types o f molars. High overall prevalence o f molars with root fusion could be an important factor influencing the progression and severity o f periodontal disease in DS patients since fused roots are shorter and less resistant to occlusal forces.
Keywords
Root fusion; Down’s syndrome; sex differences
Hrčak ID:
100658
URI
Publication date:
15.6.1992.
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