Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2010 Jun;40(2):69-74.

Diagnostic imaging analysis of the impacted mesiodens

• Noh JJ
• Choi BR
• Jeong HS
• Huh KH
• Yi WJ
• Heo MS
• Lee SS
• Choi SC

Abstract

PURPOSE
The research was performed to predict the three dimensional relationship between the impacted mesiodens and the maxillary central incisors and the proximity with the anatomic structures by comparing their panoramic images with the CT images.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Among the patients visiting Seoul National University Dental Hospital from April 2003 to July 2007, those with mesiodens were selected (154 mesiodens of 120 patients). The numbers, shapes, orientation and positional relationship of mesiodens with maxillary central incisors were investigated in the panoramic images. The proximity with the anatomical structures and complications were investigated in the CT images as well.
RESULTS
The sex ratio (M : F) was 2.28 : 1 and the mean number of mesiodens per one patient was 1.28. Conical shape was 84.4% and inverted orientation was 51.9%. There were more cases of anatomical structures encroachment, especially on the nasal floor and nasopalatine duct, when the mesiodens was not superimposed with the central incisor. There were, however, many cases of the nasopalatine duct encroachment when the mesiodens was superimpoised with the apical 1/3 of central incisor (52.6%). Delayed eruption (55.6%), crown rotation (66.7%) and crown resorption (100%) were observed when the mesiodens was superimposed with the crown of the central incisor.
CONCLUSION
It is possible to predict three dimensional relationship between the impacted mesiodens and the maxillary central incisors in the panoramic images, but more details should be confirmed by the CT images when necessary.

Keyword

Tooth, Impacted; Panoramic Radiography, Computed Tomography, X-ray

MeSH Terms

Crowns
Diagnostic Imaging
Floors and Floorcoverings
Humans
Incisor
Orientation
Sex Ratio
Tooth, Impacted