The retrospective analysis of the relationship between pulp stone and kidney stone

Hard tissue reactions in the pulp include calcifications, increased dentin formations, and resorptions. Calcified formations are commonly encountered in the pulp. Pulp stones are calcified formations that can be observed in the coronal or apical part of the root, hindering access to the canal and complicating the localization of canals when present in the pulp chamber. When located in the root pulp, they can impede canal treatment up to the physiological foramen. Aging, decay, dental procedures, periodontal diseases, the presence of epithelial remnants in the pulp, orthodontic movements, and idiopathic or genetic factors are believed to contribute to their formation, but the exact cause remains unclear. It is suggested that pulp calcifications may lead to dental neuralgia and should be considered as a disturbance in development or as a local pathology within the pulp tissue. Despite their pathological nature, they are among the smallest and least harmful of all ectopic calcifications in the body. Some studies examining the relationship between pulp stones and kidney stones have found a significant association, while others have observed no such relationship. Ultimately, it has been emphasized that comprehensive studies are needed to further investigate this matter. In our study, patients who presented to Başkent University Hospital and Faculty of Dentistry between 2013 and 2022, diagnosed with kidney stones through ultrasonography and computerized tomography, and having panoramic radiographs were selected. The panoramic images were retrospectively examined and evaluated for the presence of pulp stones. In our study, panoramic images of 1086 patients, comprising 558 females and 528 males aged between 18 and 60, were examined. Patients were divided into two groups, with 543 cases and 543 control subjects. The control group consisted of patients of the same age and gender as the case group, randomly selected. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean ages and the distribution of females and males between the control and case groups (p=0.922 and p>0.999). However, the average age of cases with detected pulp stones, regardless of diagnosis, was statistically significantly higher than cases without detected pulp stones (p<0.001). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in gender distribution between the groups with and without detected pulp stones (p=0.834). The frequency of pulp stones in the case group was statistically significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.001). Additionally, the presence of kidney stones increased the risk of pulp stone development by 84.162 times (p<0.001).