A micro computed tomography examination of dens invaginatus type 2 in an approximately 2000 year-old maxillary molar tooth—a case report

Abstract

A case of dens invaginatus was found on a maxillary molar. This tooth was unearthed from a grave complex in Perge, one of the major cities of the province of Pamphilia in Southern Anatolia. Based on archaeological findings, most of the graves of Perge were dated to the 2nd and 3rd century AD. A commercially available high-resolution micro-computed tomography (SkyScan 1172; Bruker-microCT, Kontich, Belgium) was used to scan the tooth. From the visual analysis of the three-dimensional micro CT reconstruction, the invagination lumen has a coronal entrance. Communication between pulp and invagination lumen was not detected. In the micro CT images, it is apparent that the density of the enamel around the invagination is less than the coronal enamel. Micro CT analysis showed that the invaginated ancient tooth shares the same anatomical and morphological features as modern dentition. However, to understand the origin, frequency, and tendencies of invagination it is proposed that similar studies on further ancient human skeletal populations be conducted.