Taurodontism

The term taurodontism was first introduced by Arthur Keith in 1913. It refers to a tooth form characterized by an external block configuration with an elongated body tending to enlarge at the expense of the root.The taurodontic teeth are identified by elongated pulp chambers and apical displacement of bifurcation or trifurcation of the roots. Due to this, the chamber has a greater apicoocclusal height than normally and lacks the constriction at the level of the CEJ giving it a rectangular shape. Etiology of taurodontism is diverse commonly attributed to the failure of invagination of the epithelial root sheath sufficiently early to form the cynodont. Autosomal transmission of the trait has also been observed. Taurodontism can occur alone limited to one or more teeth or it can be associated with various syndromes. Taurodontism may be unilateral or bilateral and affects permanent teeth more frequently than primary teeth. Taurodontism may be classified as mild, moderate and severe (Hypo, Meso and Hyper respectively) based on the degree of apical displacement of the pulpal floorTaurodontism is a condition found in teeth where the body of the tooth and pulp chamber is enlarged. As a result, the floor of the pulp and the furcation of the tooth is moved apically down the root. The term means "bull like" teeth derived from similarity of these teeth to those of ungulate or cud chewing animals.

According to Shaw these can be classified as hypotaurodont, hypertaurodont and mesotaurodont.

According to Mangion taurodontism may be:

1. A retrograde character

2. A primitive pattern

3. Mendalian recessive character

4. Atavistic feature

5. A mutation

The condition is of anthropological importance as it was seen in Neanderthals. It has also been reported in Klinefelter's syndrome. The teeth involved are invariably molars, sometimes single and at the other times multiple teeth may be involved. The teeth themselves may look normal and do not have any particular anatomical character on clinical examination.

On dental radiograph, the involved tooth looks rectangular in shape without apical taper. The pulp chamber is extremely large and the furcations may be only a few millimeters long at times.