Complex and compound odontomas

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze and discuss the demographic, clinical, and surgical aspects of 53 surgically treated odontomas and to review the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on all cases of treated odontomas in our center. A review of the recent literature about demographic aspects of odontomas was performed. RESULTS: A total of 53 odontomas with a mean age of 35 years were surgically treated during the study period: 32 complex odontomas, 20 compound odontomas, and 1 immature odontoma. Compound odontomas occurred more often at the mandible with a predilection for the anterior region, whereas complex odontomas showed up more often in the posterior regions of the mandible. Odontomas most commonly occurred in patients in the second decade of life. The main presenting sign was the eruption failure of permanent teeth (44 cases), whereas 1 patient referred pain as the presenting symptom. CONCLUSIONS: Odontomas are hamartomas not rarely encountered by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Odontomas usually determine delayed eruption; thus, in case of any dentition anomaly or jaw deformation in children and adolescents, it is very important to investigate the presence of possible odontomas with radiographs.