Odontomas are associated with impacted permanent teeth in orthodontic patients

BACKGROUND: Odontomas are the most frequent odontogenic tumors in the oral cavity and can result in failure of eruption of permanent teeth or be associated with impacted teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study evaluated the prevalence of complex and compound odontomas in non-syndromic patients prior to the onset of orthodontic treatment. Panoramic radiographs of 4,267 non-syndromic patients were evaluated; 22 cases were included being 54.5% complex and 45.4% compound odontomas. RESULTS: The sample was composed predominantly by White males with mean age of 14.5 years. Complex odontomas were commonly found in the maxilla (83.3%) while compound type was mostly located on mandible (60%), presenting a significant association (P=0.027). Moreover, odontomas were significantly associated with impacted teeth (P<0.0001). The most frequently odontoma-associated impacted teeth were lower canines, followed by upper central incisors and upper canines, while impacted teeth with no odontoma were predominantly upper canines, lower second premolars and upper second premolars. Compound and complex odontomas showed mean size of 10.5 and 7.25 mm, respectively, presenting significant association between lesion size and odontoma type (P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Odontomas affected mainly White male patients with mean age of 14.5 years, being the complex type commonly found in the maxilla and the compound type mostly located on mandible. Furthermore, odontomas were significantly associated with impacted teeth, affecting mainly lower canines. Early diagnosis and correct treatment are essential to avoid any complications, such as prolonged retention of primary teeth and delayed eruption of permanent teeth. Key words:Odontoma, odontogenic tumors, dental anomalies.