Talon Cusp – a Developmental Anomaly of the Tooth Shape

Overview

The authors describe a developmental anomaly of tooth shape, talon cusp. In thecourse of 1985–1999 they diagnosed this anomaly in 9 patients on 10 teeth. In the investigatedgroup of 7 girls and 2 boys the mentioned anomaly was found in the upper lateral incisors ofthe permanent teeth and only in one case in the permanent middle incisor. In seven instancesthe affected tooth had an altered position in the dental arch. In two patients the talon cuspinjured the tongue and in one instance in the fissure surrounding the cusp caries developed.As to treatment, the authors used repeatedly therapeutic smoothing after 3-month intervalswith subsequent impregnation with Elmex fluid. The caries was treated by indirect cover, anddeep fissures were sealed preventively.

Key words:
talon cusp – developmental anomaly of tooth shape – therapeutic smoothing