Dens evaginatus: the hornet's nest of adolescent orthodontics

Dens evaginatus is a rare dental anomaly that occurs during tooth development and results in an abnormal protrusion from the occlusal surface of the affected tooth, often in the area of the central groove between the buccal and lingual cusps. Of clinical importance to the orthodontist is that these occlusal tubercles fracture easily or can be worn away, resulting in direct pulp exposure in a noncarious tooth. This can cause severe complications, including loss of tooth vitality, facial infection in the form of an abscess or cellulitis, or osteomyelitis of the jaw. If extraction of premolars is indicated for orthodontic treatment after careful diagnosis and treatment planning, it is paramount to establish the health of the premolars that will remain in the dentition before extracting the teeth.