Analysis of the distribution of supernumerary teeth and the characteristics of mesiodens in Bengbu, China: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the distribution of supernumerary teeth (ST) and the characteristics of mesiodens.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 48,700 outpatients were used to assess the distribution of ST. A total of 142 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were used to evaluate the characteristics of mesiodens.

Results: A total of 1.24% of individuals aged from 1 to 98 years were diagnosed with ST among 48,700 outpatients, and males had a higher percentage of ST than females (2.94:1); patients aged 6-12 years were the most frequently diagnosed. More females had ST impacted in bone than males. The percentages of patients with 1 and 2 ST were 0.949 and 0.290%, respectively. The most frequent location, crown direction, and morphology of mesiodens were palatal, inverted, and conical, respectively. The tooth lengths of mesiodens in males and of erupted mesiodens were longer than that those in females and of unerupted mesiodens, respectively. Inverted mesiodens had the shortest tooth length compared with vertical and horizontal mesiodens. These results were statistically significant.

Conclusions: The distribution of ST and mesiodens were both related to gender, and patients aged 6-12 years were the most frequently detected. The length of the mesiodens was associated with the growth direction and mesiodens eruption.