Prevalence of Cusp of Carabelli in Health Professional Students: An Institutional Based Study

Cusp of carabelli is a non-functional cusp present on the mesiopalatal cusp of maxillary molar. It is separated from mesiopalatal cusp by a groove which is termed as carabelli groove. Popularization is generally leanings in the evaluation of hominoid dentition. This CC trait can be considered one of the parameter in dental anthropology. This morphological variation makes it very important in anthropological studies and related to forensic odontology. This cusp of the carabelli also can be used for ethnicity of population.  Aim and Objectives : Prevalence of CC found in permanent maxillary first molar teeth in health professional students. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 Bachelor of Dental Surgery students were included for this study. Assessment of CC was done using Synder simplified index.  Results : The subjects included were 50males and 50 females. The age distribution among maximum male subjects with mean age was 23.2 ± 2 years, maximum female subjects with mean age was 22.4 ± 2 years. Small tubercles were the highest in males whereas both small vertical ridge grooves and small tubercles were more in females. Males were shown high prevalence in both right and left sides.  Conclusion : The expression of CC in the health professional was more in males as compared with females. The bilateral presence of CC was high in males.CC variation in both males and females a similar study should be carried out with a large sample for standardization of the methodological approach and this can be compared in future.