Evaluation of gubernaculum dentis with cone beam computed tomography

Aim; The aim of this study is to examine the radiological appearance and properties of gubernaculum dentis (GD) in unerupted permanent teeth by cone beam computed tomography and to evaluate the relationship between GD and tooth development. Materials and Methods: Radiographic images of 75 pediatric patients whose CBCT images were taken for various reasons were retrospectively analyzed. The prevalence of GD in the images, types of shapes, attachment sites to the teeth, and areas of expansion in the alveolar crest were evaluated. GD angle and length measurements were made on CBCT images. Teeth were classified according to Demirjian tooth development method and the relationship between GD and tooth development was examined. Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov Smirnov Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Pearson Chi-Square Test were used for statistical analysis. Results: 68% of the patients were boys, 32% were girls, and the mean age of the patients was 8.51±1.63. The prevalence of GD in 1055 permanent teeth examined was 73.5%. While the rate of GD presence in the upper jaw was 60%, it was 87.8% in the lower jaw (p<0.001). While the opening sites of the GD were 94.9% in incisors, 99.4% in canines, 91.7% in premolars, palatal and lingual, the highest rate in the molar group was the crest crest with 98.4%. (p<0.001) The mean angle of the GD with the long axis of the teeth was found to be 6.260. There was a statistically significant difference between the median values of the angles according to the GD shape and teeth (p<0.001). The highest median angle value was found in the angled type with 15.80, in the incisors with 7.20 on the D scale with 5.90. The mean length of the GD was found to be 3.93 mm. The median value of the GD length in the upper jaw was 3.24 mm, while this value was 4.1 mm in the lower jaw. (p<0.001) The highest length was found in the canine teeth with 4.71 mm and on the A scale with 4.21 mm. According to the Demirjian tooth calcification scale, GD was observed at most in 92.7% and at least 33.3% in C-stage teeth (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, GD was detected less frequently in the upper jaw and in the late stages of tooth development. GD length value was higher in mandibular teeth, Demirjian A scale and especially in canine teeth. The GD angulation value was found to be higher in angled, shirred and curved shapes. Tooth eruption can be expected to be normal in teeth with GD. In the light of this information, clinicians can evaluate the eruption process and prognosis of the teeth and make a more accurate decision in treatment planning. In addition, according to our current knowledge, this is the first study in which GD was evaluated according to the Demirjian tooth development method.