Dens in dente is a developmental variation where the outer surface of the tooth folds into its interior, creating an invagination. It is most commonly seen in permanent maxillary lateral incisors and can extend from the crown to the root apex. Radiographically, it appears as an inverted umbrella shape within the tooth. Treatment focuses on prevention of caries, pulp infection, and premature tooth loss by addressing the invagination prophylactically.

1. Dens in dente

2. General information
• Infolding of the outer surface of the tooth into
its interior surface occurs
• It is a developmental variation which is
thought to arise as a result of an invagination
in the surface of Crown before calcification

3. Etiopathogenesis
• Focal growth retardation
• active proliferation
• continuous differentiation
• increased pressure
• local causes

4. Clinical features
• Commonly affected teeth is permanent maxillary
lateral incisor and maxillary Central incisor the
lower incisor or cuspid is the next common site
• there appears to be a grossly is magnified
cingulum rising to the level of the incisive edge of
the tooth
• the Crown may or may not be enlarged
• The invagination may extend to the apex of the
root

5. Diagnosis
• Infolding of tooth is seen clinically
• Inverted umbrella appearance seen
radiographically

6. Management
• To prevent caries, pulp infection and
premature loss of tooth, dense in dente must
be treated prophylactically