Abstract:
Taurodontism is a dental morphological anomaly characterized by enlarged pulp cavities repositioned towards
the apical region of the tooth, coupled with shortened root structures. Molars are commonly affected by this
alteration. Certain populations exhibit up to 48% prevalences for this dental alteration, underscoring its significance
in dental age estimation (DAE). In the field of DAE, an individual’s chronological age is inferred from
specific dental features, frequently employed within the forensic context.
The effect of taurodontism on the features of DAE is an unanswered issue. The influence of taurodontism on
eruption, mineralization, radiographic visibility of root canals, and radiographic visibility of the periodontal
ligament space in mandibular third molars- some of the established criteria for DAE as examples-is currently not
systematically examined.
Some common staging scales for the dental features of DAE cannot technically be applied to taurodontic teeth.
Additionally, given the association of taurodontism with syndromes affecting tooth development, caution is
warranted in age assessment procedures.
Notably, taurodontic teeth may serve as indicators of syndromes influencing skeletal development, further
emphasizing the relevance of taurodontism in forensic age assessment.
Presumably taurodontic teeth were included in reference data to some extent due to their partially high
prevalence in the past, whereby the influence of taurodontism has been statistically absorbed within the overall
spread of the features. Future studies should compare the temporal course of these tooth characteristics in
affected and unaffected teeth.
Subsequent initiatives should focus on raising awareness among forensic dentists regarding taurodontism,
necessitating in-depth exploration of the subject.
