CBCT Features Of Gubernacular Canal In Maxillary Anterior Supernumerary Teeth

Supernumerary teeth in the maxillary anterior region of children have a high prevalence. However, the eruption mechanism of supernumerary teeth remains unclear. This study explores the role of gubernacular canal morphology in regulating supernumerary tooth eruption to clarify the underlying mechanism and improve clinical management strategies. A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients with supernumerary teeth treated in our department, who had complete medical records and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. The eruption directions of supernumerary teeth were classified into three categories: vertical normal (apex downward), vertical inverted (apex upward), and oblique (other directions). The presence of gubernacular canals, their attachment sites, number, diameter, and length were observed. The relationships between these parameters and the eruption directions of supernumerary teeth were analyzed. Among the three axial positions (vertical upright position, vertical inverted position, and oblique position), the canal detection rates were 66.67%, 68.75%, and 50.00%, respectively, with statistically significant differences observed among them. Vertical inverted and oblique supernumerary teeth showed a high correlation with the nasopalatine duct, and the cusp tips of supernumerary teeth adjacent to the nasopalatine duct pointed toward the duct. There was a statistically significant correlation between the canal and the eruption direction of supernumerary teeth. The characteristics of the canal influenced the eruption direction of supernumerary teeth.