Dens invaginatus: a review and orthodontic implications

Dens invaginatus (DI) is a developmental anomaly resulting in a deepening or invagination of the enamel organ into the dental papilla prior to calcification of the dental tissues. Presence of DI is considered to increase the risk of caries and pulpal pathology, but they are often missed in the initial orthodontic assessment as they present with no clinical signs of an anomaly. In absence of adequate oral hygiene and maintenance, bacterial contamination of these malformations can lead to the development of early caries and consequent pulpal death. Early diagnosis of these lesions is critical as they can negatively impact any planned orthodontic treatment and assessment of the prognosis of these lesions is therefore necessary prior to the commencement of orthodontic treatment. In this article, we aim to illustrate the need for appropriate diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach in the management of DI in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.