title: The Prevalence of Pulp stones in Adult Patients of Shiraz Dental School, a Radiographic Assessment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulp stones are calcifications found in the pulp chamber or pulp canals of the teeth. Its different prevalence in different population is a matter of concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pulp stones in a sample of Iranian population and to report its occurrence regarding gender, dental arch, tooth type and dental status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dental records of patients who attended Shiraz Dental School were selected randomly. Only bitewing and periapical radiographs of maxillary and mandibular permanent posterior teeth were studied. Teeth were classified in the case of presence or absence of pulp stones, and the prevalence was analyzed in different gender, tooth types, dental arch, and dental status (intact, carious, or restored) groups. Statistical analysis was performed using X(2) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 652examined subjects, 306 (46.9%) had one or more teeth with pulp stones. Of the 8244 posterior teeth examined, 928 (11.25%) had pulp stones in the pulp chamber. These pulp stones were detected in 76(37.6%) of males and 230 (51%) of females. The frequency of pulp stones among different teeth between maxillary and mandibular arches had almost a similar pattern. Among teeth demonstrating the condition, first molars were the most prevalent, followed by second molars. In maxillary molars the frequency of occurrence (26%) was higher than mandibular molars (18.7%). No Significant difference was found between dental status and pulp stones occurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of pulp stones noted in this study was significantly higher in female, molar teeth than premolar and 1st maxillary molar than mandibular. There was no significant association between pulp stone and condition of the crown.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Endodontic, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ravanshad
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Private practice, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khayat
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Busheher University of Medical Sciences, Busheher, Iran.
authors.forename: Najmeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freidonpour
keywords: Prevalence; Pulp stones; Radiographic assessment