Mandibular Carnassial Tooth Malformations in 6 Dogs—Micro-Computed Tomography and Histology Findings

Question 1

who is the author?

Answer 1

Kevin Ng

Question 2

why are these lesions NOT dens invaginatus?

Answer 2

in humans: enamel-lined cavity caused by an invagination of the enamel organ which creates a cavity, fissures denote the point of origin of the invagination, fissures are in the occlusal surface, multiple fissures are rare, bilateral involvement is 24-43% only and maxillary incisor is predisposed,

in dogs: lesion is a mass of abnormal tissue that is not likely enamel, presence of enamel fissures are inconsistent, fissures are at the CEJ, multiple fissures are possible, often bilateral and involve mandibular molars,,

Question 3

why are the lesions NOT enamel pearls?

Answer 3

enamel pearls: aggregates of ectopic radicular enamel, discrete protuberances of enamel on the root surface or cervical enamel finger-like projections that extend from the CEJ, bilateral involvement is rare, more prevalent in maxillary molars, not associated with internal hard tissue deposits

lesions in dogs: ectopic enamel in 2 teeth was continuous with coronal enamel, flattened in appearance

Question 4

what could these lesions in dogs be?

Answer 4

molar-incisor malformation, characterized by abnormal hard tissue in permanent maxillary and mandibular molars, distribution is symmetrical, abnormal tissue is in the cervical region with deviation of pulp tissue, fissures in enamel, root malformations

Question 5

are these lesions clinically significant?

Answer 5

large proportion of teeth have periodontitis or periapical lucencies

Question 6

what are the pitfalls of performing RCT in these teeth?

Answer 6

additional furcation channels are difficult to clean
abnormal tissue in pulp chamber may be a barrier to instrumentation
ectopic radicular enamel can predispose to perio

Question 7

what is the cause of this lesion?

Answer 7

possibly adverse medical event during gestation, parturition or antenatally

Question 8

what is peculiar about the signalement of all dogs in this study?

Answer 8

all less than 5 kg

Question 9

what is the recommended term when referring to this malformation?

Answer 9

carnassial-tooth malformation