PULP STONES AND HYPERCEMENTOSIS IN ARTHRITIS

¹ New York University College of Dentistry and Montefiore Hospital, New York, N. Y.

1. The control cases showed a slightly higher incidence of pulp stones; 48 per cent as compared to 32 per cent. The average number of teeth in positive cases was practically identical in both groups; 2.8 for the control group as compared with 2.6 for the arthritic group (Table IV).

2. The arthritic cases showed a higher incidence of hypercementosis; 24 per cent as compared to 12.5 per cent. The average number of such teeth in positive cases was 2.3 for the control group as compared with 3.9 for the arthritic series. The difference between these groups is probably due to the 1 unusual case in which all the teeth (22) were affected with hypercementosis. The paucity of material might also cause a greater difference in this group. Actually, the difference in percentage represents 5 additional cases in the arthritic group (Table IV).

3. The difference in incidence of pulp stones between the arthritic and control groups is so slight as to be insignificant.

4. The differences in hypercementosis between both series are probably not significant because of paucity of cases. This will have to be determined by further study.