Conservative treatment of shovel-shaped upper incisors and dens invaginatus: a case study

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to describe the conservative treatment adopted in one non- syndromic patient presenting with shovel-shaped upper incisors and dens invaginatus. A 13-year- old female patient sought treatment reporting pain in response to cold stimuli in the upper anterior teeth. Four upper incisors with shovel-shaped anatomical alterations in the palatal side of the crown were detected during intra-oral clinical examination; in addition, imaging exams revealed a type I dens invaginatus in tooth 22. There was no communication between the carious lesion and the pulp chamber, and a restorative treatment plan was developed. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient showed absence of pain, fistulas, swelling, or periodontal pockets. When faced with anomalous teeth, conservative procedures should be considered as a potential solution for restorative and endodontic treatment.