Comparative assessment on the prevalence of cusp of Carabelli among three different populations in India

Gayathri Ramesh, Ramesh Nagarajappa, Shitalkumar Sagari, Gundareddy Nagendrareddy Suma

Annals of Bioanthropology 2016 4(2):79-83

Background: The characteristics of a tooth can differ among races and species and can constantly alter due to natural selection and the genetic changes. Therefore, the study of the morphological properties of the dental structures could aid in phylogenic and genetic studies including gathering information about intra- and inter-species variations. Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of cusp of Carabelli among three different Indian (Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka) populations. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 casts (50% each of males and females) were evaluated for the presence or absence of Carabelli trait among the study population according to the scale of Dahlberg's (1963) scale. Casts of participants having maxillary first permanent molars bilaterally without gross damage to morphology by caries, attrition, or any other trauma were included in the study. Chi-square test with a significance level of P< 0.05 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of Carabelli cusps was 57% (61% in males and 53% in females). The various groups showed a prevalence of 58.7%, 50%, and 61.7% in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka population, respectively. The differences in the observations between groups and also gender were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The small vertical ridge and groove form were observed most commonly (31%), and small pit with minor grooves diverging from a depression form was the least prevalent (1.5%). Conclusions: The findings on the maxillary first permanent molar demonstrate that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of Carabelli cusps among the study populations.

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