Regional odontodysplasia: An analysis of 161 cases from 1953 to 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Regional odontodysplasia (RO) is a localized developmental anomaly involving both dentitions. The characteristic clinical findings are soft discolored several contiguous teeth with atypical morphology associated with swelling or abscess formation. Radiographic images of the involved teeth show a ghost-like appearance because enamel and dentin are hypoplastic and hypocalcified. Although RO is known for more than seven decades, the literature on RO is mostly limited to case reports. The objective of this investigation was to provide an updated review of the literature with regards to clinical presentation and epidemiology of RO. Because of its rarity, retrospective analysis of the published reports across the world is considered one of the most appropriate available methods to analyze epidemiological and clinical data of RO. This review was reported and conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Between 1953 and 2017, 161 cases were reported in literatures written in English. At the time of diagnosis, the age of the patients ranged between 1 and 25 years. There was slight female predilection with a ratio of 1.37: 1. When examined collectively, the maxilla was commonly affected compared to the mandible. RO occurred in both dentitions in 75 reported cases. While it affects the deciduous teeth alone in 19.3% and the permanent teeth in 34.2% of the cases. Failure of tooth eruption was the most common presenting finding (41.6%) followed by swelling of the affected area (32.3%). CONCLUSION: Although RO was first described almost 80 years ago and the total subsequent case reports were over 160 cases, there is no consensus on its pathogenesis and how it should be treated. The descriptive nature of the examined case reports reveals the limited information on this condition. Further experimental and genetic studies are needed.