Diagnosis
Definition
Intestinal failure is decreased intestinal function such that nutrients, water, and electrolytes are not sufficiently absorbed. Short bowel syndrome is when there is less than 2 m (6.6 ft) of working bowel and is the most common cause of intestinal failure. Treatments
Symptoms of short bowel syndrome are usually addressed with medication. These include:
Anti-diarrheal medicine (e.g. loperamide, codeine)
Vitamin, mineral supplements and L-glutamine powder mixed with water
H2 blocker and proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid
Lactase supplement (to improve the bloating and diarrhea associated with lactose intolerance)In 2004, the USFDA approved a therapy that reduces the frequency and volume of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), comprising:  NutreStore (oral solution of glutamine) and Zorbtive (growth hormone, of recombinant DNA origin, for injection) together with a specialized oral diet. After 24 weeks of successful Phase III patient treatment trials, Teduglutide was shown to be relatively safe and effective with varying degrees of benefits and adverse effects per patient. Adequate safety evaluations prove to be difficult due to a limited sample size available for study, however. In 2012, an advisory panel to the USFDA voted unanimously to approve for treatment of SBS the agent teduglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 analog developed by NPS Pharmaceuticals, who intend to market the agent in the United States under the brandname Gattex.
A person belonging to one of these particular demographics or one who has any of these deformities or syndromes may have a higher risk of having a talon cusp. Mechanism
The exact mechanism of the formation of dens evaginatus and talon cusp is unknown. It has been suggested that the anomaly is caused by an evagination. The formation of the "cusp" is due to excess layering of the internal enamel epithelium and dental papilla into the stellate reticulum. This occurs during the morphological differentiation stage of tooth development. During the developmental stages of tooth formation, certain dental follicle cells were differentiated incorrectly which formed the excess enamel and incorrect morphology of the affected tooth. Talon cusp can progress into severe dental problems if the severity of the cusp affects the persons hygiene and oral functions. Talon cusp may occur on its own or associated with other dental anomalies such as mesiodens, odontome, unerupted or impacted teeth, peg-shaped maxillary incisor, dens invaginatus, cleft lip, bilateral gemination, fusion, and supernumerary teeth. Diagnosis
This anomaly is large enough to be seen with the naked eye. One can see the projection on the incisal edge of a tooth looking into the mouth of the affected person. The structure is described to be "Tshaped" or "X-shaped" however will differ depending on its shape, size, structure, location and site of origin. X-rays and radiographs can also show evidence of the abnormality.