Taurodontism
Pronunciation: taw-roh-DON-tizm
A dental anomaly in which the pulp chamber of a multirooted tooth is abnormally enlarged vertically at the expense of root length, displacing the root bifurcation apically.
Full Definition
Taurodontism (from Latin taurus, bull, and Greek odontos, tooth) describes teeth with enlarged, elongated pulp chambers and short, underdeveloped roots with furcations positioned in the apical third. It may occur as an isolated finding or in association with syndromes such as Klinefelter syndrome, amelogenesis imperfecta, or tricho-dento-osseous syndrome. The condition has clinical significance for endodontic access and root canal preparation, which editors must understand when reviewing operative dentistry manuscripts. Radiographic classification into hypo-, meso-, and hypertaurodont types is described in the literature.
Usage
Usage note: Spell as one word: 'taurodontism'. It is not hyphenated. When editing case reports, verify that the subtype (hypo-, meso-, or hypertaurodont) is described consistently with the radiographic findings cited.
In Context
- "The panoramic radiograph revealed bilateral taurodontism of the permanent molars, prompting referral for syndromic assessment." — Oral radiology report
- "Endodontic access in cases of taurodontism requires modification of the standard access cavity design to account for the apically displaced furcation." — Endodontic clinical technique article