Application of multiplanar computed tomography and the osirix imaging software for precise analysis of dens invaginatus in the maxillary third molar

Dens invaginatus is a deep surface invagination of the dentin that is lined by enamel and is easily affected by dental caries, thus resulting in pulpitis and apical periodontitis. This report presents an image analysis of rare dens invaginatus of the maxillary third molar in a 23-year-old man. A radiographic examination showed a radiopaque structure in the dilated roots and a radiolucent area around the root. Tooth extraction and cystectomy were performed. The histological findings showed the tooth to have type III dens invaginatus. This report discusses the application of multiplanar computed tomography (CT) imaging and the free image analysis software (OsiriX) to achieve a more precise evaluation of dens invaginatus.