Frequency of dilaceration in a mexican school-based population

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to record the frequency of dilaceration in patients attending our institution and to analyze the possible associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Orthopantomograms from all patients attended in our institution were reviewed and those cases of dilaceration were selected. Documented data were age, gender, diagnosis, location and involved teeth. Data on possible etiological factors was also recorded. RESULTS: 125 dilacerated teeth in 99 patients were found. Dilacerations were more commonly detected in females and in maxillary teeth. Maxillary 2nd bicuspids and lateral incisors were the more commonly affected teeth and were more common in teeth with predecessors (anterior teeth and bicuspids). Traumatic episodes and caries of the predecessor teeth was mentioned but never were related with affected teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the studied population are different compared to previously published studies. Our results support the point of view that the occurrence of dilacerated teeth could be related to limited availability of space to allocate the erupting teeth in the dental arch and perhaps to the possibility of the tooth to rotate, preventing eruption. Key words:Developmental alterations, dental developmental alterations, root dilaceration.