PREVALENCE OF PULP STONES IN PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPHS- A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS.

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence of pulp stones in periapical radiographs, and to assess any associations with age , gender ,tooth type and to compare the results with already published data in literature.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed from a random analysis of 200 radiographic images that were retrieved from Oral medicine and radiology ,Saveetha Dental College, Chenna , India. Data was collected from patient files and 200 periapical radiographs for a period of 3 months from April 2015- June 2015 were analysed. Data of patients below the age of 10 and above the age of 60 were excluded from the study.
The radiographs were viewed under optimal viewing conditions and results were reconfirmed by an oral radiologist . Statistical analysis was performed and the results were thus tabulated.
Results: Of the 200 patients, 70 (35%) were female and 130 (65%) were male, and of the 200 radiographic images examined, 84 (42%) were maxillary teeth, 116 (58%) were mandibular teeth , 45 ( 22.50% ) were anterior teeth and 155 ( 77.50%) were posterior teeth. Pulp stones were found significantly more in teeth that were not intact (carious). Pulp stones were identified in 4 (2%) of the subjects .There was no significant correlation with sex, increasing age, dental arches.
Conclusions: The prevalence of pulp stones was 2%. Pulp stones were more often seen in teeth that were restored or affected with caries. These findings require further investigation.