title: Prevalence of Taurodont molars in a North Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is very important for dentists to be familiar with anomalies of teeth not only for the clinical complications but also their management. Taurodontism also provides a valuable clue in detecting its association with various syndromes and other systemic conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Taurodont molars among a North Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1000 patients' full-mouth periapical radiographs were screened. The radiographs were evaluated under optimal conditions using double magnifying glasses. A total of 7615 molars (including third molars) were evaluated. The relative incidence and the correlations regarding the location of Taurodont teeth (right versus left side and maxillary versus mandibular) were analyzed using the Chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients were found to have a Taurodont molar (11 women and 17 men [P = 0.250]). The prevalence of Taurodont molar was 2.8%. Males had a higher prevalence rate than females (3.4% vs. 2.2%, respectively). A cluster analysis of total Taurodonts in the mandible (45%) versus maxilla (55%) of both males and females combined showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of Taurodontism is basically based on racial expression in different populations. These variations in prevalence between different populations may be due to ethnic variations. The occurrence of Taurodont molars among this Indian population was rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bharti
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Aseem Prakash
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Tikku
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Material Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deeksha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arya
keywords: Molar; Taurodontism; prevalence