Radiographic evaluation of the presence of pulp stone in aggressive periodontitis patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between aggressive periodontitis (AP) and pulp stone by radiography. Materials and Method: A total of 243 panoramic radiographs of 116 patients (67 female and 49 male; mean age: 26.2 ± 5.3 years) in the AP group and 127 periodontally healthy subjects (72 female and 55 male; mean age: 29.8 ± 3.6 years) in the control group were included to the study. The presence of the pulp stones on the 1st and 2nd premolar teeth and the 1st and 2nd molar teeth in the maxilla and mandible were evaluated by a single observer. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Considering the findings on patient basis, the presence of pulp stone in the AP group (29/116 subject; 25%) was more frequent than the control group (12/127 subject; 9.4%) (p<0.05). As for the findings on tooth basis, the incidence of pulp stone was more frequent in the molar teeth (60/251; 23.9%) and premolar teeth (10/344; 2.9%) of the AP group compared with the molar teeth (11/457; 2.4%) and premolar teeth (2/499; 0.4%) of the control group (p<0.05). Regarding the gender, there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of the pulp stone presence in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the frequency of pulp stone was greater in the subjects with AP compared to the subjects with healthy periodontal tissues. From a clinical standpoint, in the subjects with AP, the presence of pulp stones should be evaluated comprehensively before commencing endodontic treatment as they may lead to difficulties during access to root canals