Compound odontoma in the mandible--case study and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Odontomas constitute a developmental defect of hard dental tissues and are classified as benign odontogenic tumours. They are composed of all dental structures and tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp. As regards histomorphological features, two types of odontomas have been differentiated: complex and compound. Odontomas represent from 4.7% to 76% of odontogenic tumours. Their aetiology has not been fully understood, yet injury, infection and genetic factors are often named among the causes. Odontomas are usually detected by chance in radiographic images taken in relation to disrupted eruption or mislocation of teeth. AIM OF STUDY: To present the case study of an erupting compound odontoma on the right side of the mandible in an 11-year-old girl. MATERIAL, METHODS AND RESULTS: The analysis covered medical documentation of the patient, diagnostic casts, orthopantomographs and cone beam computed tomography scans. The case study has been complemented with the review of up-to-date literature. A lesion composed of 30 odontoids was removed during one-day surgery without subsequent augmentation with bone substitute material. There were no post-surgery complications. A follow-up orthopantomograph taken 3 months later showed that the wound had been healing correctly, which made it possible to plan subsequent orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Odontomas are benign lesions which can be removed during one-day surgery without the absolute need of augmentation with xenogenic or allogenic material. 2. The pressure exerted by the plate of a removable appliance is very likely to initiate the eruption of the odontoma.