Pyramidal molar roots and canine-like dental morphologic features in multiple family members

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics, 1996-10, Vol.82 (4), p.411-416
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Anne-Marie H., Tiffee, John C., Arnold, Ralph M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1079-2104; 1528-395X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1079-2104(96)80306-4

We report on three cases of unusual dental morphologic characteristics with pyramidal-shaped premolars and fused molar roots occurring in two generations. The dental abnormalities were hereditary in nature with morphologic features similar to those described by others. The features described in the literature were inherited in a pattern suggestive of a polygenic system with incomplete penetrance, although autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression was possible. The present cases are found in a fashion suggestive of an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, but insufficient evidence is available to state this for certain. In this case report, we describe a family with the previously stated anomalies and discuss potential causes for their condition as well as their clinical relevance.