Prevalencia y distribución de cálculos pulpares y su relación con factores locales y sistémicos.

Abstract

Introduction: Pulp stones, which are areas of calcification in the dental pulp, can appear in various types of teeth, both in healthy and compromised ones, as well as in unerupted teeth. These compact masses of calcified tissue are located in the coronal or radicular pulp, with a higher frequency in the coronal region. Objective: To determine the prevalence and distribution of pulp stones observed through randomly selected cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and analyze their relationship with local and systemic factors. Materials and Methods: A quantitative approach, with a descriptive-analytical design. CBCT images were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of pulp stones, as well as their distribution. The evaluation was performed by a single observer, who was trained to interpret such images. Results: The second quadrant (34.6%) and third quadrant (34.6%) were the locations with the highest proportion of pulp stones. 19.2% of the teeth with pulp stones showed no local factors, 38.5% had restorations, while other cases presented restorations and dental caries (34.6%). A significant association was found between local factors and the presence of pulp stones (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Pulp stones were mainly found in the pulp chamber, with molars being the most affected teeth. A statistically significant relationship between pulp stones and local factors was identified, suggesting that these factors play an important role in their development.