Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), often associated with dentinogenesis imperfecta type I (DI-I), leads to structural alterations such as early pulp obliteration in primary teeth. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and periapical radiographs (PXR) in assessing pulp chamber volume and morphology in primary molars of children with OI, with and without DI. An observational in vitro case–control study was conducted on primary molars from children with OI (DI and non-DI groups) and healthy controls. Dental dimensions and pulpal measurements were obtained from PXR and CBCT. Three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions were generated using 3D Slicer to quantify pulp chamber volume. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and generalized linear models adjusted for tooth type, sex, and age. Sixty-six molars were included: 20 with DI, 23 without DI, and 23 controls. Molars from OI patients with DI showed significantly reduced pulp volume compared with both OI without DI and controls (p < 0.001). Type III OI was associated with the lowest pulp volumes, independently of age, sex, and tooth type (p = 0.003). CBCT measurements demonstrated superior agreement with anatomical dimensions compared with PXR (ICC up to 0.99). Three-dimensional reconstructions revealed dysmorphic and partially obliterated pulp chambers in DI-affected molars. Primary molars of children with OI and DI present significant pulp volume reduction and morphological alterations, particularly in severe OI phenotypes. CBCT provides reliable quantitative assessment and may serve as a complementary diagnostic tool for identifying DI-related pulpal changes. • Patients with OI and DI often present structural alterations in the pulp chamber of primary teeth. • CBCT, as a minimally invasive technique, helps assess pulp chamber morphology in OI patients. • This study shows reduced pulp chamber volume in primary molars of OI types III–IV compared with type I and controls.
Pérez et al. (Wed,) studied this question.