Frequency of Carabelli's Cusp and its Association with Dental Caries in Maxillary Permanent First Molars in Relation to Gender

Abstract

Background: Carabelli's cusp is a hereditary trait on maxillary molars, often associated with increased dental caries risk, studied for its prevalence and implications across various populations. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Carabelli's cusp and its correlation with dental caries in the upper first permanent molars, with a focus on gender differences. Study Design: Cross-sectional study design. Settings: The study was carried out at dental Department Rashid Latif Dental College, Lahore. Duration: From August 2021 to Jan 2022. Methods: Dental examinations identify the presence or absence of Carabelli’s cusp in maxillary first molars, using a binary classification system (Present/Absent). Additional assessments include checking for dental caries associated with Carabelli’s cusp. Results: The participants' ages varied from 11 to 30 years, with an average age of 21.60 ± 5.61 years. Out of 350 patients, CC on MPFM was observed in 115 (32.9%) patients, whereas it was absent in 235 (67.1%) patients. The distribution of the Cusp of Carabelli between genders did not exhibit a substantial disparity (p=0.278). There was a notable disparity in the laterality of the Cusp of Carabelli on MPFM between genders. In participants with the Cusp of Carabelli, 57.4% (n=66) had dental caries in the cusp groove, whereas 42.6% (n=49) did not (Table 5). 30 (26.1%) patients had right-sided caries in cusp of carabelli grove (CCG), 17 (14.8%) on the left, and 19 (16.5%) on both. The prevalence of dental caries in the Cusp of Carabelli groove did not significantly differ between genders (p=0.452). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the notable occurrence of Carabelli's cusp among young adults, emphasizing its possible influence in making persons more susceptible to dental caries