|
|
 |
|
| LETTER TO EDITOR |
|
| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 2 | Page : 145 |
|
Labial-cervical vertical groove
Joseph Thomas
Senior Lecturer, Mahe Institute of Dental Science, Mahe, U T of Pondycherry, India
| Date of Web Publication | 4-Sep-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
Joseph Thomas
Senior Lecturer, Mahe Institute of Dental Science, Mahe, U T of Pondycherry
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5194.100613
How to cite this article:
Thomas J. Labial-cervical vertical groove. J Interdiscip Dentistry 2012;2:145 |
Dear Editor,
This letter is to add some more information on the dental anomaly reported by Srinivasan and Pradeep, [1] called the facial radicular groove. This malformation, a notch which starts on the cervical enamel and extends to the radicular surface has also been termed as labial-cervical vertical groove (LCVG) or labiogingival notch., [2],[3] The prevalence of this labial notch on the maxillary central incisors is said to range from 4.5% in a study by Mass et al. [2] to 6.5% in the study by Brin and Ben-Bassa. [4] In a study conducted by Shpack et al., [3] out of 1250 patients examined, 66 exhibited LCVG (5.3%) in one of the upper incisors. LCVG was present mostly in single configuration (71.2%) with a significantly more distribution in the central incisors (94%). The etiology of this defect was earlier though to be due to trauma to the developing tooth bud, [5] but now it is considered as a developmental defect due to the vertical extension of the mamelon groove. [3]
The depth of this notch can vary from a short shallow depression to a deep groove extending apically. Shallow defect are usually not associated with any change in gingival contour and are identifiable only by probing, whereas deeper defects can result in irregular contour of the marginal gingiva. [5] In case of unaesthetic appearance of the incisors, placement of restoration and gingival recontouring can be carried out. Besides the aesthetic concern, these defects can predispose the tooth to periodontal problems as described in the case report by Srinivasan and Pradeep. [1] Therefore, the dentist should alert the patient about this deformity so that cautious oral hygiene can be implemented. Misdiagnosis of this anomaly for cervical caries or cervical root resorption may lead to unnecessary invasive treatment. [5] Hence it is important for clinicians to consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of enamel defects.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Srinivas TS, Pradeep NT. Bilateral facial radicular groove in maxillary incisor. J Interdiscip Dent 2012;2:41-3. 
|
| 2. | Mass E, Aharoni K, Vardimon AD. Labial-cervical-vertical groove in maxillary permanent incisors--prevalence, severity, and affected soft tissue. Quintessence Int 2005;36:281-6.
[PUBMED] |
| 3. | Shpack N, Dayan T, Mass E, Vardimon AD. Labial cervical vertical groove (LCVG) distribution and morphometric characteristics. Arch Oral Biol 2007;52:1032-6.
[PUBMED] |
| 4. | Brin I, Ben-Bassat Y. Appearance of a labial notch in maxillary incisors: A population survey. Am J Phys Anthropol 1989;80:25-9.
[PUBMED] |
| 5. | Ben-Bassat Y, Brin I. The labiogingival notch: An anatomical variation of clinical importance. J Am Dent Assoc 2001;132:919- 21.
[PUBMED] |
|
