Evaluation of Mesiodens Prevalence, Characteristics, and Complications on Panoramic Radiographs

Objective: Hyperdontia is when the number of teeth in the dental arch is higher than normal, and the plus teeth that form this excess are called supernumerary teeth. The supernumerary teeth located in the maxillary and mandibular anterior region are called mesiodens. The mesiodens is the most common supernumerary tooth in the jaws. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence, characteristics and complications of mesiodens in panoramic radiographs taken for various diagnostic reasons. Material and Methods: In this study, panoramic radiographs of 10000 patients aged 16-64 years, taken under ideal conditions for various diagnostic purposes in our clinic, were examined by a single observer and the presence/absence of mesiodens, the number, localization, position, shape, eruption status and the presence/absence of complications were recorded. SPSS V.21 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis. Results: In the examined sample of 10,000 individuals, mesiodens was detected in 52 cases, with a prevalence of 0.52%. The majority of mesiodens were found in a horizontal position, followed by vertical and inverted positions, respectively. The most common type of mesiodens observed was the conical type, followed by canine-like and incisor-like types. Among the complications detected, the most frequent was axial rotation or inclination of the permanent incisors. Conclusion: Mesiodens is the most common type of supernumerary tooth in the permanent dentition. In order to prevent malocclusions and complications at an early stage, dentists should perform a detailed examination during clinical and radiological examination.