Análise da morfologia interna dos canais radiculares em dentes com hipomineralização molar-incisivo por meio de tomografia de feixe cônico

Abstract

Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a condition that affects the tooth enamel, making it porous and susceptible to caries and tooth sensitivity. Pulp inflammation and complexities in the internal anatomy of root canals may be associated. Objective: To analyze the internal morphology of root canals in hypomineralized first permanent molars and compare the different lesion colorations to clinically sound teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Method: CBCT scans of 13 MIH teeth exhibiting yellow-brown or white-cream discolorations were analyzed and compared with 6 clinically sound teeth. The following parameters were evaluated: (I) number of canals; (II) number of apical foramina; (III) presence of accessory canals; (IV) distances from cusp to pulp horn, cusp to apex, cementoenamel junction to apex, root canal width, and dentin thickness. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test to assess differences between groups, with a 5% margin of error. Results: The number of primary apical foramina was higher in mandibular hypomineralized teeth with yellow-brown discoloration (p=0.029) compared to mandibular hypomineralized teeth with white-cream discoloration. Hypomineralized teeth exhibited smaller linear measurements in the roots when compared to healthy teeth, indicating inferior development. There was no significant difference in the frequency of primary and accessory canals. Conclusion: Hypomineralized teeth tended towards greater complexity in their root canal systems when compared to sound teeth. However, future research should be conducted in order to prioritize the evaluation of these parameters in larger samples.