CLINICAL REVIEW

 

A combined therapeutic approach to treating a challenging case of Dens Invaginatus

 

 

CH Jonker^I; P van der Vyver^II; S Arnold^III; NH Wood^IV

^IBChD, Dip Odont, MSc (Pret), Module of Endodontics, Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Oral Health Sciences, Sefako Makqatho Health Sciences University, Gautenq, South Africa. ORCID Number: 0000-0002-9110-5208
^IIBChD, Dip Odont, MSc, PhD (Pret), Department of Odontoloqy, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa and Private Practice, Sandton, South Africa. ORCID Number: 0000-0003-1951-6042
^IIIBChD, PG Dip Dent (Pret), Department of Odontoloqy, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. ORCID Number: 0000-0002-7518-9560
^IVBChD, Dip Dont, MDent (OMP), Department of Periodontoloqy and Oral Medicine, School of Oral Health Sciences, Sefako Makqatho Health Sciences University, Gautenq, South Africa. ORCID Number: 0000-0001-8950-7999

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dens Invaginatus is a rare dental anomaly. The case presentation illustrates a combined endodontic and surgical approach of a maxillary lateral incisor that presented with a Type III Dens Invaginatus.
METHODS: The complex root canal system was prepared during phase 1 after proper disinfection; the canals were obturated with a combination of techniques.
An appointment was scheduled for four weeks later for the surgical phase. During this visit, a full muco-periostal flap was raised, the failed retrograde restoration was removed and MTA was placed.
RESULTS: The patient was seen for follow-up visits after the procedure and satisfactory healing was observed.
CONCLUSION: The case report illustrates a novel approach to treating a unique case of dens in dente.

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ACRONYMS

DI: Dens Invaginatus

DFDBA: Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft

SLA: Straight Line Access

 

INTRODUCTION

Dens Invaginatus (DI) is a rare dental anomaly in which invagination of the enamel organ into the dental papilla occurs before tooth calcification. The invagination may originate in the crown region of the affected tooth, often extending into the root before calcification of tooth structure occurs.¹

Various other terms can be found for this phenomenon: "dens in dente", "dilated composite odontome", "gestant odontoma", "dentinoid in dente" or "telescopic tooth".² Teeth affected by this anomaly may show a great variety of sizes, shapes and forms.³ Salter gave a very accurate description of this anomaly in a very early statement in 1855, in which it was named "a tooth within a tooth",⁴ and was also the first to describe DI in a human tooth.³

Once the diagnosis of a DI is confirmed, treatment can pose a formidable challenge to the treating clinician and modern clinical techniques and equipment may be required for successful management. Radical approaches in treatment, including endodontics, are needed, and often the affected tooth has to be extracted.^3,4,5 These teeth may pose challenges concerning aesthetics and occlusion, a higher risk of caries, pulp necrosis and Anally tooth impaction.⁵

The following case presentation demonstrates an endo-dontic and surgical approach to treating a challenging case of DI.

 

CASE REPORT

Conventional root canal treatment

A 29-year-old male patient with an uncomplicated medical history was referred to the Department of Operative Dentistry at the Oral Health Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for endodontic treatment on his maxillary right second incisor. According to the patient, a root canal treatment had been attempted during a previous visit to the hospital.

On clinical examination a discoloured maxillary right lateral incisor with a slight class I mobility was seen. A periapical radiograph of the area revealed a complex root canal configuration with a large retrograde amalgam restoration at the apex of the root (Figure 1).

 

 

Small fragments of the retrograde amalgam were scattered around the root apex and surrounding tissues.

There was also an apical radiolucency around the apex of the root, and evidence of previous endodontic treatment was visible. The right central incisor and canine had been treated previously by means of conventional endo-dontic treatment with retrograde amalgam restorations. A periapical radiolucency was visible around the apex of the maxillary right central incisor.

A DI Type III was diagnosed and the decision was made to take a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. The CBCT images confirmed the complexity of the canal systems, in which the central root canal was enclosed by another C-shaped pulp chamber (Figure 2).

 

 

After discussion with the patient and obtaining his consent for treatment, the tooth was anaesthetised, a rubber dam placed, the temporary restoration removed and straight line access (SLA) achieved. The main central root canal system was identified under high magnification using the Dental Operating Microscope (DOM) (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany). The complex root canal configuration was scouted with manual K-files (Dent-sply-Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) (Figure 3) but no patency was achieved due to the retrograde restoration.

 

 

Working length was determined by using a size 0.8 K-file and confirmed radiographically. In the central root canal, glide path preparation was initiated with a size 10 K-file and the glide path was expanded with the Proglider (Dentsply Sirona), a single rotating glide path file.

Root canal preparation was done with a WaveOne Gold Primary endodontic file (Dentsply Sirona). RC-Prep (Premier Dental, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania) was used as a lubricant, and for irrigation between the instruments 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solution was activated with the EndoActivator (Dentsply Sirona).

Under high magnification, the C-shaped root canal space was investigated for additional root canal orifices or hidden anatomy. An ultrasonic tip, Start-X number 3 (Dentsply Sirona) was used to open root canal space and gain improved access to the C-shaped canal configuration. The WaveOne Gold Primary file was used in a brushing motion on the outstroke in all directions in an effort to shape the C-shaped root canal space. Final root canal irrigation was done with 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solution that was again activated with the EndoActivator (Dentsply Sirona) to improve disinfection in the C-shaped root canal configuration.

The root canal systems were dried with paper points and the canals obturated with WaveOne Gold Primary gutta-percha cones (Dentsply Sirona) and BioRoot RCS endodontic sealer (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France) using the Calamus Dual Obturation Unit (Dentsply Sirona) (Figure 4). The tooth was restored and an appointment was scheduled for the surgical exploration of the periapical lesion.

 

 

Surgical treatment

The patient returned four weeks later for the surgical phase of the treatment. The surgical site was anaesthetised and a full muco-periostal flap was raised. Bone was removed at a level corresponding to the apical region of the lateral incisor.

The apical region was explored and it was confirmed that a previously placed amalgam retrograde restoration was firmly attached to the apex of the root.

The retrograde amalgam restoration was removed using an ultrasonic tip (Start-X number 3, Dentsply Sirona) and a long diamond burr (Komet Dental, Brasseler, Germany) with constant water cooling.

The remaining apex of the root was observed under magnification to identify all the portals of exit. The decision was made to leave any amalgam scattering in situ to avoid possible further damage to apical tissues and root structures. No other portals of exit were identified. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) (Dentsply Sirona) was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed as retrograde restoration.

The apical regions of the canine and central incisor were assessed intra-operatively. No pathology was observed at the canine apex, but granulation tissue was removed around the apex of the central incisor. The integrity of the existing retrograde restorations were intact and, as no signs of leakage were observed, these were not replaced.

Bio-resorbable demineralised freeze-dried bone allo-graft (DFDBA) (Osseograft TM, Advanced Biotech Products, Chennai, India) was used to fill the bone defects and primary closure of the surgical site was achieved. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for one week later and post-operative instructions were provided.

Follow-up visits

The patient was seen after 12 weeks (Figure 5) for a follow-up visit, reporting no discomfort. The surgical site was inspected and uneventful healing was observed. No mobility of the tooth was detected.

 

 

At a 13 month follow-up visit a periapical radiograph revealed satisfactory healing of the periapical pathology around the roots of the central and lateral incisor teeth (Figure 6).

 

 

Discussion and literature review

Back in 1957, Oehlers described three types of DI (Figure 7): Type 1: minor invagination limited to the crown, not extending beyond the cemento-enamel junction; Type II: apical extending invagination not limited to the coronal region, but extending beyond the cemento-enamel junction, forming a blind sac inside the root, which may or may not communicate with the pulp; Type III: severe apical extension of the invagination into the root and exiting into the periodontium.

Type III can further be divided into Types III a and b. With Type III a, the invagination extends into the root and exits laterally into the periodontal space; pulpal involvement is unlikely.^7,8 Type III b shows an inva-gination extending into the root and exiting at the apical foramen into the periodontal space.^7,8 In rare cases of Type III b, the invagination can be outlined by cementum.⁸ According to the literature, Oehlers' radiographic classification is still used more frequently today than any other.⁹

There is no consensus on the aetiology of this phenomenon. Proposals as to the formation of this "tooth within a tooth" include lateral fusion of two tooth germs, the dental arch imposing constriction within the enamel organ, increased external pressure on the developing tooth germ, restriction of focal growth, individual stimulation of various areas within the tooth bud, crown invagination before calcification of the tooth, infection during the time of tooth development and finally, possible genetic factors.^10,11,12

Clinical signs alerting the clinician to the possible presence of the DI are a deviation in normal crown morphology, including dilated, peg-shaped or barrel-shaped crowns.⁷ An enlarged palatal cingula, notching of the incisal edges with palatal grooving, talon cusps and a deep foramen caecum will also raise suspicion.^7,10 Methylene blue dye can be used to distinguish the normal fissures from the foramen caecum.⁸ Unfortunately, affected teeth can also present with no clinical signs.

The literature records that maxillary lateral incisors are more susceptible to coronal invaginations¹³ than any other tooth in the human dentition. Studies have also confirmed a prevalence in the region of 0.04% to 10% with a female: male ratio of 3:1.^3,14 Invaginations in posterior teeth are not common, and Hamasha and Al-Omari (2004)¹⁵ found only 6.5% of affected teeth were in the posterior region.

Furthermore, the maxilla is more often affected and DI is also more commonly found in the Caucasian and Asian races. The phenomenon can also be associated with various syndromes: Ekman-Westborg-Julin syndrome, Williams syndrome and Nance Huran syndrome.¹⁶

Clinicians must be encouraged to spend more time on a thorough examination of teeth, especially where deep pits are observed in the region of the foramen caecum. Hypo-mineralisation of the enamel in the region of the dens may be detected, which may make the spread of bacteria easier and faster.⁸ Subsurface caries may develop in the DI because of the tortuous lingual anatomy of the anterior teeth, initially being confined to the internal surface.

The caries could later progress to the external surface or to the pulp through pathways between the dens and the pulp.⁸ With early detection, the need for complex and difficult endodontic treatments at a later stage will be averted.¹⁷ The investigating clinician is also encouraged to thoroughly examine the contra-lateral tooth, as 43% of patients can present with the same anomaly in this tooth.¹⁸ Patients with a DI can seek dental treatment for acute pain and inflammation, but in general the diagnosis of DI is confirmed during routine examinations, panoramic x rays and CBCT scans. Once the suspicion is raised, a periapical radiograph will confirm the finding.¹¹

The radiological appearance is determined by the severity of the individual case. One case may present with a single deep, narrow pit whilst another may present with an in-folding loop very close to the main root canal. Radiopaque enamel lining is mostly present^7,8 and the pulp can display a very complex image of anatomy, difficult to follow and interpret.¹⁹ Radiographs can only detect relevant information in the coronal plane of anterior teeth and in the sagittal plane of posterior teeth.¹⁷

Today, the use of CBCT scans in conjunction with traditional radiographs is highly advisable. CBCT provides a non-invasive 3D reconstructed view of external and internal morphological challenges of the DI tooth.^17,20 Because of the relatively higher dose of radiation involved, the current recommendation is that CBCT scanning should be reserved for selected cases where conventional radiographs fail to provide conclusive information on the complex endodontic configuration.¹⁷

Histologically the enamel of the DI appears hypo-mineralised and may have an altered chemical composition when compared with the external enamel. The dentine of the DI may be regularly or irregularly hypo-mineralised. It may also contain vital connective tissue strains and show intercommunications with the pulp.⁸

Minimal invasive procedures are the aim when treating DI. Conservative restoration of the invagination with fissure sealant or flowable composite is the treatment of choice when the coronal caries are shallow, the pulp tests are vital and periapical lesions are absent.⁷ Periodic follow-ups of clinical and radiographic examinations of these cases are of utmost importance.

DI teeth with vital pulps may present with apical periodontitis, therefore pulp tests are essential for proper pulpal diagnosis, irrespective of what the radiograph presents.⁷ The more extensive the invagination, the more invasive the treatment will be; each case requires a different approach.

The present case describes treatment of a non-vital lateral incisor with a DI Type II and associated peria-pical pathology. Root canal therapy of both the invagi-nation and the main root canal, together with apical surgery, were needed to resolve the periapical pathosis.

Root canal therapy in DI poses challenges and limitations, as the complex root canal anatomy together with the obstructive invagination limit accessibility and make complete debridement quite difficult.²¹

 

CONCLUSION

The case report illustrated a novel approach to treating a unique case of dens invaginatus. A conventional endodontic approach was combined with a surgical approach and at a 13-month follow-up, the tooth and surrounding apical tissue showed adequate signs of healing.

Declaration

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest in the publishing of this manuscript. The manuscript was processed by the outgoing managing editor, Prof Bill Evans.

 

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Correspondence:
Casper H Jonker
School of Oral Health Sciences
Sefako Makqatho Health Sciences University
Gautenq, South Africa
Email: casper.jonker@smu.ac.za

 

 

Author contributions:
1 . Casper H Jonker: Introduction (25%), report on treated case and procedures (80%), discussion and literature review (25%), conclusion (25%), chanqes and formulation of drafts (30%).
2 . Peet J van der Vyver: Introduction (25%), discussion and literature review (25%), conclusion (25%), chanqes and formulation of drafts (30%).
3 . Samantha Arnold: Introduction (25%), discussion and literature review (25%), conclusion (25%), chanqes and formulation of drafts (20%).
4 . Neil H Wood: Introduction (25%), report on treated case and procedures (20%), discussion and literature review (25%), conclusion (25%), chanqes and formulation of drafts (20%).