title: Enamel pearls as a predisposing factor to localized periodontitis.
abstract: Enamel pearls are enamel anomalies on primary and permanent teeth roots that usually appear at furcation areas, especially in maxillary second and third molars. Enamel pearls usually occur singularly, but as many as four have been observed on the same tooth. This report describes an unusual case of multiple enamel pearls associated with periodontal pockets localized on all maxillary first and second molars. Because the patient had an advanced stage of periodontitis, the maxillary right first and left second molars were extracted. The remaining two maxillary molars were included in a strict follow-up protocol. Enamel pearls were confirmed as the cause of localized periodontitis; therefore, it is very important to recognize their radiologic aspect to ensure proper treatment of the involved teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Gaspare
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palaia
authors.forename: Ricciarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Botti
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tenore
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polimeni
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000209:etiology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery