Evaluation of Unerupted Odontomas With Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Corresponding Adress/İletişim Adresi: Gökhan GÜRLER Istanbul Medipol University School of Dentistry Atatürk Bulvarı No: 27, 34083 Unkapanı, İstanbul, Turkey Phone/Tel: +90 212 453 4940 E-mail/E-posta: ggurler@medipol.edu.tr ABSTRACT Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic features of unerupted odontomas of the jaws. Material and Method: A total of 23 odontomas detected in 21 patients were included in our study. The lesions diagnosed on panoramic radiographs were further evaluated with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Patients’ age, gender, clinical symptoms, localization, type, presence of supernumerary tooth with odontoma, position (buccal, palatinal, between teeth), distance to crown/ root, distance to cortical plate, any complications due to odotoma or treatment method were evaluated. Results: Twenty-three odontomas were evaluated using CBCT. Fifteen lesions located in the maxilla whereas 8 lesions located in the mandible. The closest distance of the odontoma to the neighbouring crown/root varied between 0 to 4.5 mm with a mean of 1.3 mm. The closest distance of the odontoma to the buccal/palatal/lingual cortical layer varied between 0 to 4.6 mm with a mean of 1.8 mm. Associated impacted permanent teeth were left to erupt spontaneously or orthodontic traction was started at the same time or at a later stage. Seven of the impacted teeth were orthodontically tracked during surgery and 1 tooth was orthodontically tracked at a later stage. 2 teeth were extracted during surgery and 2 teeth were left to erupt spontaneously. Conclusion: Odontomas mostly located close to adjacent cortex; therefore, practitioners will not have difficulty in exploring the lesion. However; close proximity to associated tooth may result in tooth or root damage during surgical removal. We recommend CBCT evaluation for accurate surgical planning before removal of odontomas.