Epidemiological, clinical, and 3-dimentional CBCT radiographic characterizations of supernumerary teeth in a non-syndromic adult population: a single-institutional study from 60,104 Chinese subjects

Objective This study was aimed to delineate the prevalence, clinical, and 3-dimentional radiographic characteristics of adult supernumerary teeth (ST found) in a Chinese non-syndromic, dental population. Materials and methods Medical records and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were utilized to identify adult patients with ST in a tertiary referral dental hospital between June 2012 and December 2018. CBCT scan coupled with 3-dimentional reconstruction was used to characterize the detailed location, morphology, orientation of ST, and their relationship with adjacent teeth and neighboring structures. All relevant information regarding age and gender of patients, morphology, and 3-dimentional topography of ST as well as ST-associated complications were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results A total number of 1149 ST was identified in 921 eligible patients screened from 60,104 subjects with the prevalence of 1.5%. Male patients outnumbered females with a gender ratio of 1.76:1. The majority of ST was single, located in the maxilla, especially the maxillary central incisor region. Most ST were conical shape, inverted orientation, and impacted. ST-associated complications including impaction or root resorption of adjacent teeth, and cystic/tumor-like lesions were totally found in 13% ST and significantly associated with location, orientation, and morphology of ST. Conclusions Most ST in Chinese adults were conical, inverted, impacted, and located in the maxillary central incisor region, and associated with various complications. Our findings offer valuable information concerning the prevalence, clinical, and radiographic characteristics of ST in non-syndromic Chinese adults. Clinical relevance These findings are beneficial for clinicians to comprehensively understand the incidence, pathogenesis, and clinical management of ST.