Correlation of the Radiographic and Morphological Features of the Dental Follicle of Third Molars with Incomplete Root Formation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the correlation of the radiographic and morphological features of the dental follicle of unerupted third molars with incomplete root formation. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 56 patients (105 teeth) aged 13 to 24 years. Panoramic radiography was used to determine the stage of root formation to locate and measure pericoronal radiolucency. The width of the dental follicle ranged from 0.0 to 4.0 mm, the distal face being the one most frequently involved, and stage 7 of root formation showing the highest incidence. An inactive enamel reduced epithelium and inactive epithelium remnant also showed a high incidence. Dense connective tissue showed a high incidence, chronic inflammation was infrequent and calcification was a common finding. There was a significant association between the progression of the rhizogenesis and the transformation of the enamel reduced epithelium into a stratified squamous epithelium. No significant association was found between rhizogenesis and the other morphological findings or between the latter and the width of the pericoronal space. It was concluded that there was no clinically significant correlation between the radiographic and morphological features. Every asymptomatic unerupted third molar should be followed up and the follicular tissue analyzed.

Soft tissue pathosis associated with asymptomatic impacted lower third molars

“…Tooth formation occurs in the development sac, also known as a dental follicle (DF) or dental sac (DS) that surrounds the dental papilla and enamel organ (1). The DF is responsible for coordinating resorption and deposition in the bone opposite the region of eruption through intraosseous movement (2) and is also responsible for the structure of the periodontal ligament and cement (1,3).…”

“…The DF is responsible for coordinating resorption and deposition in the bone opposite the region of eruption through intraosseous movement (2) and is also responsible for the structure of the periodontal ligament and cement (1,3). Despite this important role in eruption physiology, previous studies have reported that the DF may undergo cystic degeneration and/or neoplastic transformation (1,(4)(5)(6)(7). The DF appears radiographically as a pericoronal radiolucency, the width of which is of the utmost importance in identifying DF pathology (3).…”

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) in Dental Follicles of Impacted Third Molars

“…The remaining epithelium in the connective tissue was classified as absent, inactive or proliferative. It was inactive when exhibiting a typical island or string formation and proliferative when forming sheets or layers of cells (Oliveira et al, 2008).…”

Intracannal pain remission in child with amelogenesis imperfecta. Case report

“…Major pain causes are dental trauma and infectious diseases, being caries the most common 2 . Other abnormalities, such as amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) may severely affect dental structure in both dentitions and, when affected by severe caries, it impairs pulpar complex preventing complete apical closing and characterizing a presentation of incomplete root formation (IRF) 3 . Endodontic treatment of ICF is complex due to teeth anatomic characteristics.…”