Radiographic characteristics of odontomas in patients in the National Taiwan University Children's Hospital

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Odontoma is the most common odontogenic tumor. A literature review revealed limited data for odontomas in Taiwan. This study evaluated the radiographic characteristics of odontomas in 1280 patients in the National Taiwan University Children's Hospital (NTUCH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the odontomas based on examination of mainly panoramic radiographs and related radiographs of 1280 patients in the NTUCH. Chi-square test was used for trend analysis. RESULTS: Among 1280 patients (710 boys and 570 girls), a total of 16 patients with odontomas (10 boys and 6 girls) were identified. There were 14 compound and 2 complex odontomas. The mean age of the patients was 10.38 years with the majority of odontomas occurring in the first (37.5%) and second decade (62.5%) of life. Odontomas had a marked predilection for the mandible (56.25%) and for the anterior region of the jaws (75%), particularly for the anterior maxilla (43.75%). Ten odontomas (62.5%) were associated with the impacted corresponding permanent teeth. The sagittal position of odontomas and vertical relation of odontomas to the corresponding permanent teeth were significantly correlated with the eruption rate of corresponding permanent teeth (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The odontomas occur most commonly in male patients with a male to female ratio of 1.67:1. The incidence of odontomas in our 1280 patients is 1.25%. The age range of patients with odontomas is 6–17 years. The most frequent location of odontomas is the anterior maxillary region. Odontoma is frequently associated with an impacted corresponding permanent tooth.