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.
Signs and symptoms
Talon cusp will show physical signs of the irregular dental formation of the teeth and cause other symptoms of the disease that could possibly lead to dental problems in the future, depending on severity of the deformity. Most commonly, the extra cusp is located on the lingual surface, giving a three-pronged appearance. Rarely, however, the extra cusp may be situated on the facial surface, or there may be extra cusps on both lingual and facial surfaces. There may be a deep groove between the talon cusp and the rest of the tooth. The extra cusp typically contains pulp tissue. When viewing talon cusp from the occlusal, the projection will appear "x-shaped", as well as appears conical, and mimic the shape of an eagles talon.Symptoms of talon cusp include:

Interference with occlusion or bite
Irritation of soft tissues and tongue
Accidental cusp fracture
Susceptible to dental caries

Cause
The cause of talon cusp is unknown. The anomaly can occur due to genetic and environmental factors but the onset can be spontaneous. Prevention is difficult because the occurrence happens during the development of teeth. Talon cusp affects men and women equally, however the majority of reported cases are of the male gender. Individuals of Asian, Arabic, Native American and Inuit descent are affected more commonly. Talon cusp is also highly observed in patients with orofacial digital II syndrome and Rubinstein Taybi syndrome. Other anomalies that occur with talon cusp can include peg laterals, supernumerary teeth, dens envaginatus, agenesis and impaction.