Assessment of pulpal calcifications in relation to deep carious lesions among the Visakhapatnam population: A cross-sectional study

• Author Details:   
• Ravichandra Ravi ^*
• Sruthi Kapu
• Charishma Chowdary Ponugubati
• Lalitha Sri Roja Nallamilli
• Sunil Bonu

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Background: Pulpal calcifications are frequent findings in dental radiographs, especially in teeth affected by chronic irritation such as deep carious lesions. These calcifications may complicate endodontic procedures and serve as indicators of pulpal pathology.

Aim & Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and distribution of pulpal calcifications in deep carious teeth and determine their association with patient age, gender, tooth type, and dental arch sextant.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional radiographic study was conducted on 1,200 teeth from 800 patients aged 18–65 years presenting with deep carious lesions. Standardized intraoral periapical radiographs were evaluated for the presence of coronal and radicular pulpal calcifications. Demographic data including age, gender, tooth type, and arch location were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23.0. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied to assess associations between pulpal calcifications and clinical parameters.

Results: Pulpal calcifications were identified in 463 out of 1,200 examined teeth, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 38.6%. Among the types of calcifications observed, coronal calcifications (22%) were more commonly detected than radicular calcifications (12%), indicating a higher tendency for mineral deposition within the pulp chamber. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between the presence of calcification and both age (p = 0.001) and tooth type (p < 0.01), suggesting these factors strongly influence occurrence. However, no significant correlation was found with gender or arch/sextant location, indicating these variables played a minimal role.

Conclusion: Pulpal calcifications are prevalent in teeth with deep caries, especially in older individuals and molars. Understanding their distribution can help clinicians anticipate and manage challenges during endodontic therapy.