EVALUATION OF PULP STONES IN A SUBPOPULATION OF NORTHEAST TURKEY

Aim: to evaluate the prevalence and distribu- tion of pulp stones in posterior teeth by using digital panoramic radiographs in a turkish subpopulation. materials and method: panoramic radiographs of 3,113 patients ranging in age from 15 to 35 (1,836 females and 1,277 males) were retrospectively examined to determine the prevalence and distribution of the pulp stones. all data were obtained from dental records. all posterior teeth were investigated except third molars, and the data obtained were recorded as present or absent according to genders in both arches, in the left and right side according to tooth type in both arches. pearson’s chi-squared and fisher’s exact tests were used for difference comparisons (p<0.05). result: of the 3,113 patients, 395 (12.6%) had one or more teeth that contained pulp stones. pulp stones were noted in 14.7% of females and in 9.7% of males, with significant difference between genders (p<0.05). pulp stones were detected in 1,122 of the 38,225 teeth (2.9%). pulp stones were more common in the maxilla (4.3%) than in the mandible (1.4% ), with significant difference between arches (p<0.05). the prevalence of pulp stones was more frequent in the first and second molars in each dental arch. pulp stones were more frequent as the bilateral than unilateral in the maxilla and mandible. conclusion: the prevalence of pulp stones was found in 12.6% of dental patients, with gender difference. maxillary first molars were most commonly found to have pulp stones. pulp stones were more frequent as the bilateral in the maxilla and mandible.