Clinical epidemiological analysis of 173 supernumerary molars

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of supernumerary molars in a sector of the population of Madrid, as well as the possible complications associated with the presence of hypergenetic molars. Materials and methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was carried out, which included a data assessment of all patients (13557) seeking dental care at a hospital's department of oral surgery across 4 years. The proposed methodology consisted of preparing a medical record in order to obtain data on the medical record number, age and sex of the patient, radiological findings such as location and type of supernumerary molar, retained/erupted molar, related accidents and tooth morphology. Results. Supernumerary molars were found to be present in 130 patients, representing a prevalence of 0.96% of the total population studied. These patients had a total of 173 hypergenetic molars, consisting of 137 distomolars and 36 paramolars Mechanical-obstructive pathology was associated with 28.9%, whereas enlargement of the follicular sack bigger than 3 mm was present in 16.2% of the sample. Conclusion: Supernumerary molars are usually diagnosed as a coincidental radiological finding without any associated pathology. However a higher percentage of comorbidity was found than initially expected.