A cone-beam computed tomography study of supernumerary teeth

Abstract

Objectives: The objective was to study the position and morphological characteristics of supernumerary teeth (ST) based on the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Materials and Methods: CBCT imaging data and patient characteristics of 113 patients visiting our institution between January 2020 and January 2021 were collected and analyzed. The Chi square test was used to compare enumeration data between different groups, while the Student's t-test was used for measurement data. Results: Overall, 156 ST were found in 113 patients (82 men and 31 women). Among them, 73 patients had 1 ST, 37 had 2, and 3 had 3. The supernumeraries were maxillary and mandibular in 103 and 10 patients, respectively. A total of 136 teeth were found in the anterior area, of which 30 were in the midline region. Three teeth were in the premolar and molar regions. The teeth were mainly conical (118 teeth), followed by supplementary (24 teeth), tuberculate (10 teeth), and odontomatous (4 teeth), including 2 compound odontomas and 2 complex odontomas; 66 teeth were normally oriented, 62 were inverted, and 28 were transverse. There was a statistically significant relationship in ST between shape and arch, location and shape, and morphology and sagittal position and orientations (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CBCT is an essential tool for diagnosis, and it provides valuable information about the position and morphology of teeth, especially the relationship of teeth to adjacent structures objectively, stereoscopically, and comprehensively.