Odontomas in a Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pattern of distribution and age changes in odontomas in a Chinese population.

METHODS

Forty cases of odontomas found in Chinese patients for which the clinical notes, radiographs and histopathology reports were available were classified as either compound or complex odontomas on the basis of their radiological appearance. Thirty-nine were wholly within the alveolus and one in the maxillary antrum. The overall size of the 39 alveolar odontomas and the size of their central opacities were measured digitally from periapical radiographs.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of the 39 alveolar odontomas were complex (M/F = 8/13) and 18 compound (M/F = 10/8). The majority of cases presented in the second and third decades with an overall mean of 23 years. Thirty-eight per cent were found in the anterior maxilla. Complex odontomas had a predilection for the anterior maxilla and mandibular molar areas. The odontomas increased in size with increase in age.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of presentation of this Chinese series is broadly in agreement with other series. Odontomas tend to increase in size with the age of the patient, suggesting continuing growth.