(A). Fusion
(B). Concrescence
(C). Gemination
(D). Dens in dente
- Dens in dente (also called dens invaginatus) is formed as the enamel organ goes into the crown of a tooth before mineralization is completed. Radiographically, a tooth-like structure appears within the crown. Due to the irregularities of the crown structure, the tooth is more vulnerable to caries and infections, including periapical lesions. Dens invaginatus is most common with maxillary lateral incisors.
- Gemination is when one crown splits into two, creating two crowns.
- Fusion is the combination of two tooth buds with separate canals.
- Concrescence occurs when roots adhere together by cementum only.
Answer: (D). Dens in dente
Now, you may have noticed that this does NOT really look like a “tooth” within the tooth. It may just look like some radiopacity inside the tooth. For this reason, when you are taking the dental hygiene board exams (NBDHE, NDHCE, CSCE, WREB, CRDTS), look very carefully. Also look at the keywords “maxillary lateral incisors” too that could be a hint to dens in dente.
Please tell your friends to sign up for StudentRDH Weekly Vitamins (available on our front page) so they can also receive all this information in their mailbox. It doesn’t hurt to get some review for the dental hygiene board exams (NBDHE, NDHCE, CSCE, WREB, CRDTS) little by little. Our goal at StudentRDH is to make everyone successful in their dental hygiene board examinations (regardless of whether you pay for our courses or not). So share the knowledge and be that fantastic #RDH #FutureRDH!
Now go find some dens in dente in your patients and when you find it, take a picture and share it with us too!
Mini Boards Reviews for the National + Local Anesthesia Dental Hygiene Boards. Weekly Sample Questions at www.StudentRDH.com. Find COMPLETE review courses too. “I wish I did not spend money on other review courses!” – Bethany, Bergen CC, March 2016