An observational study of the frequency of supernumerary teeth in a population of 2000 patients

Abstract

Objectives: An evaluation is made of the epidemiological characteristics of supernumerary teeth, with an analysis of the associated clinical-eruptive complications.

Study design: A longitudinal observational study was made of 2000 patients, with the documentation of demographic data, the presence of supernumerary teeth, their location, mechanical accidents and the presence of associated pathology.

Results: The presence of supernumerary teeth was recorded in 1.05% of the study subjects (mean age 20.2 years), with a greater frequency in males. The most frequent location was in the upper maxilla (79.2%), fundamentally in the retromolar zone and at premaxillary level. The presence of mechanical accidents was the most frequent complication (54%)--the displacement of adjacent teeth being the most common finding--along with the presence of follicular cysts.

Conclusions: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in our series was 1.05%, the most frequent location being at upper distomolar level. Mechanical accidents were the most frequent complication.