Metaanalysis of the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of odontomas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the different types of odontomas. STUDY DESIGN A metaanalysis was made of 3065 odontomas obtained from a literature review of 30 articles published in recent years. RESULTS Odontomas show no gender predilection, and are most often diagnosed in the second decade of life. They are preferentially located in the upper maxilla, particularly in the anterior sector. Compound odontomas are more prevalent than complex odontoma, and show no predilection in terms of patient gender, age or location. Most such lesions are asymptomatic and constitute casual findings in X-ray studies indicated for other reasons. The most common clinical manifestations are the retention of permanent teeth and the presence of a tumor. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the lesion. The prognosis is very good, with a scant tendency towards relapse. CONCLUSIONS Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumors. Their most significant characteristics comprise alterations in tooth eruption, and the diagnosis is casually established in the course of routine X-ray studies.