• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.949-957
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• 2015

We investigate the clinical characteristics of odontoma in childhood and adolescence. A retrospective analysis was performed in 105 patients under 15 years old who were diagnosed with odontoma in Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital, the department of pediatric dentistry between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2013. The ratio of compound odontoma, immature odontoma and complex odontoma were 67.6%, 21.9% and 10.5%, respectively. Odontoma was more prevalent in males and the ratio of males to females was 1.5:1. The age of patients ranged from 3 to 14 years old with an average age of 9.3 years old. The odontoma was more frequently located in the maxilla (73.3%) than in the mandible(26.7%). In 98 cases, it was treated by surgical removal. Among adjacent teeth impacted by odontoma, 26 cases (34.7%) of successional permanent teeth were erupted when only odontoma were removed and 6 cases (8.0%) were erupted when surgical exposure was performed. Orthodontic tractions were performed in 43 cases (57.3%). In conclusion, odontoma could cause complications such as impaction of teeth. If they are found early and treated properly, high eruption success of successional permanent teeth can be obtained. The occurrence frequency of immature odontoma are higher than that of complex odontoma, and they are observed intensively in anterior maxillary teeth. Therefore, it is considered that they are important causes of dental impaction in anterior maxillary teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.490-497
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• 2007

Odontoma is defined as a benign odontogenic tumor containing enamel, dentin as well as cementum and constitued 22% of all odontogenic tumors. Although the lesions are commonly asymptomatic, they may be discovered routine radiographic examination. Odontomas often cause disturbances in the eruption of teeth such as, impaction or delayed eruption, retention of primary teeth, or abnomalities in the position of the teeth such as tipping or displacement of adjacent teeth. Radiologically, odontomas manifest as a dense radiopaque lesion surrounded by a thin radiotransparent halo. However, in some cases, radiopacity was not quite clear and images of the teeth shadowed very tiny odontomas. And at early development stages of odontoma, calcification remains immature and is difficult to diagnose on radiographs. This suggests that when delayed eruption of the teeth is found, periapical radiographs should be taken to clarify whether any small area of radiopaque material exists. This case report shows tiny odontomas involving an impacted tooth and crowding and we remove the tiny odontoma surgically.