Prevalence of pulp stones in an Iranian subpopulation: an assessment using cone beam computed tomography

Undetected pulp stones can complicate root canal treatment. Knowledge about the prevalence of this anomaly in specific populations can improve endodontic treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to use cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess the prevalence of pulp stones in an Iranian subpopulation. In this descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, the CBCT scans of 150 (75 female and 75 male) patients aged 15 to 70 years were retrieved from the 2017 to 2018 archives of an Iranian university. A total of 4200 teeth were evaluated for the presence of pulp stones by a senior dental student under the supervision of an experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologist. The panoramic radiographic views were evaluated first, and then each tooth was evaluated on sagittal, coronal, axial, cross-sectional, and multiplanar views with 0.5-mm slice thickness. Data regarding the presence of pulp stones as well as the effects of age, sex, tooth type, and jaw on the presence of pulp stones were analyzed using independent t and chi-square tests. Of 4200 teeth, 571 had pulp stones, yielding prevalence rates of 13.6% in the studied teeth and 76.0% in the study population. The prevalence of pulp stones was higher in female patients, the mandible, anterior teeth, and the mandibular left quadrant. The mandibular left central incisor (tooth 24) had the highest (38.7%) and the maxillary left second premolar (tooth 13) had the lowest (1.3%) prevalence of pulp stones. The high prevalence of pulp stones in this study population suggests that dentists should consider the possible presence of pulp stones when planning endodontic treatment for Iranian patients.