Radiologic evaluation of associated symptoms and fractal analysis of unilateral dens invaginatus cases.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the age-based prevalence of dens invaginatus cases and to learn the radiologic findings. In addition, fractal analysis of the periapical regions of unilateral dens invaginatus cases and contralateral teeth was performed to determine the effect of possible microleakage on fractal dimension.

Methods: A total of 136 patients (170 teeth) identified in panoramic radiographs taken for diagnostic purposes between January 2018 and December 2023 at our Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology were included in the study. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS V23. The Chi-square test was used for comparing categorical variables between groups. The relationship between the FD values calculated around the apexes of the teeth with unilateral dens invaginatus and the contralateral teeth was analyzed by paired t test. A significance level of p < 0.050 was adopted.

Results: The mean age of the cases was calculated as 28.1 (8-63) years. 66 (48.5%) of the cases were female, and 70 (51.1%) were male. The lateral incisor was the most affected tooth among these cases. Bilateral cases were observed in 34 patients. Type 2 was detected in 93 patients, Type 1 in 35 patients, and Type 3 dens invagination in 8 patients. Dens invaginatus cases were observed in 134 maxillary and 2 mandibular teeth. Periapical lesions were seen in 22 of these cases.

Conclusions: Dens invaginatus cases are a congenital anomaly encountered at any age. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent the loss of pulp vitality due to these invaginations. It should be noted that these invaginations can affect both jaws. However, due to the prevalence of occurrence in the maxillary anterior teeth and asymptomatic nonvitality, particular attention should be paid to evaluating this region.