An observational study of the frequency of supernumerary teeth in a population of 2000 patients.

OBJECTIVES An evaluation is made of the epidemiological characteristics of supernumerary teeth, with an analysis of the associated clinical-eruptive complications. STUDY DESIGN A longitudinal observational study was made of 2000 patients, with the documentation of demographic data, the presence of supernumerary teeth, their location, mechanical accidents and the presence of associated pathology. RESULTS The presence of supernumerary teeth was recorded in 1.05% of the study subjects (mean age 20.2 years), with a greater frequency in males. The most frequent location was in the upper maxilla (79.2%), fundamentally in the retromolar zone and at premaxillary level. The presence of mechanical accidents was the most frequent complication (54%)--the displacement of adjacent teeth being the most common finding--along with the presence of follicular cysts. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in our series was 1.05%, the most frequent location being at upper distomolar level. Mechanical accidents were the most frequent complication.