Prevalence and distribution of diverse dental anomalies in an Egyptian children's population

Abstract

Aim In normal dental exams, dental anomalies are widespread. It may lead to occlusal, cosmetic, and functional problems. In this study, the prevalence and distribution of developmental dental abnormalities in a community of Egyptian children were studied. Patients and methods The average age of the sample was 7.5 years out of 2583 panoramic radiographs of kids between the ages of 6 and 12 that were analyzed, including 1110 boys and 1473 girls. The digital panoramic radiographs were examined by two experienced researchers in a standard manner and in good lighting for the following developmental anomalies: congenitally missing teeth, extra teeth, impaction, ectopic eruption, transposition, gemination, fusion, submerged, peg-shaped teeth, dilacerations, taurodontism, dens in dente (Dens Evaginatus), retained or early loss of primary teeth considering the chronological age of dental eruption, and any other anomalies. Results Two hundered sixty-six panoramic radiographs, or 10.3% of the study group, had at least one dental abnormality, while 2317, or 89.7%, had none. There was no significant difference between the sexes other than fusion, where the rate was higher in females than in males among the cases with dental anomalies. Of these cases, 57.14% were girls and 42.85% were boys. Supernumerary teeth were more common than congenitally lacking teeth (1.85 vs. 4.41%). Amelogenesis imperfect, transposition peg-shaped and halted teeth, impacted teeth (1.5%), taurodontism (1.16%), root dilacerations (1.04%), amelogenesis imperfect, fusion (0.23%), and no cases of accessory roots and dentinogenesis imperfecta were found in this study. Conclusion Dental anomalies were often found in this Egyptian study population. Various dental abnormalities were found. Congenital missing was the most frequent anomaly, followed by extra teeth, impacted teeth, taurodontism, root dilatation, fusion, amelogenesis imperfecta, transposition peg-shaped teeth, and arrested teeth, in that order. In this investigation, no instances of dentinogenesis imperfecta or accessory roots were found. Because of the high occurrence of developmental dental anomalies, it is imperative that their causes be better understood to provide better treatment, intervene earlier, and prevent future problems.