Objective: The objective of this article is to study the types of supernumerary teeth and their prevalence in a group of patients in Western Romania.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of various patients, who attended the Department of Paedodontics and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Timişoara, Romania. The number, location, classification, bilateral symmetry and impaction of supernumerary teeth were evaluated. Furthermore, we evaluated the development of these teeth and we also established the therapeutic decision for each clinical case. Final diagnosis was based upon clinical examination, occlusal radiographs, panoramic radiographs or cone beam CT.
Results: From a total of 700 examined patients, with mixed and permanent dentition aged between 6 and 13 years, 21 (3%) patients had supernumerary teeth. A total of 25 supernumerary teeth were recorded. The distribution of supernumerary teeth according to jaws showed a higher prevalence in the maxilla: 80% (n=20) were located in the upper jaw, while 20% (n=5) were found in the mandible. In the upper arch, the most frequent supernumerary teeth were the lateral incisors 45% (n=9), followed by the central incisors (mesiodentes) 35% (n=7). Smaller percentages were located in the premolar region 15% (n=3) and distomolar region 5% (n=1). The distribution of supernumerary teeth according to bilateral symmetry was 24% (n=6) bilaterally and 76% (n=19) unilaterally. Regarding their status, the majority of the supernumerary teeth, 96% (n=24) were erupted and only 4% (n=1) were impacted, being associated with the failure of eruption of the left central incisor. Tooth extraction was the treatment of choice in 100% of the cases. Most of the supernumerary teeth, 96% (n=24) were completely developed and only 4% (n=1) showed an incomplete root.
Conclusions: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in this study was 3%. This result is comparable to similar studies in the literature, among Caucasians. Future research is required to evaluate a larger group of patients.