Compound odontoma associated with the delayed eruption of a maxillary central incisor in an adolescent patient: Case report
Keywords:
Compound odontoma, Delayed eruption of maxillary central incisor, AdolescentAbstract
Introduction: Odontoma is a common odontogenic lesion that originates from tooth-forming tissues and is frequently associated with delayed or failed eruption of permanent teeth in children and adolescents. Odontoma can affect oral function, esthetics, and quality of life; therefore, regular dental check-ups, ideally once or twice a year, particularly during childhood when the transition from primary to permanent dentition occurs, are important for preventing complications, and minimizing impacts on long-term dental and maxillofacial development.
Objective: To present the clinical features, radiographic characteristics, diagnosis, and management of compound odontoma, a common odontogenic lesion frequently associated with delayed eruption of permanent teeth in pediatric and adolescent patients.
Case Presentation: A 13-year-old Thai female presented with delayed eruption of the maxillary right central incisor, which should normally erupt at 7–8 years of age. Clinical examination revealed no pain or swelling. Periapical, panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs demonstrated multiple tooth-like radiopaque structures surrounded by a narrow radiolucent rim, associated with an impacted right maxillary central incisor. The diagnosis of compound odontoma in the anterior maxilla was made. Surgical enucleation of the lesion was performed, along with the extraction of the embedded tooth. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination.
Conclusion: A 13-year-old Thai girl presented with an unerupted maxillary right central incisor. She had no history of regular dental check-ups, and no facial abnormalities were observed. The diagnosis was a compound odontoma in the anterior maxilla. The lesion was treated surgically, and no postoperative complications were noted.
References
Soluk-Tekkesin M, Wright JM. The World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Lesions: A summary of the changes of the 2022 (5th) edition. Turk Patoloji Derg. 2022; 38: 168-84.
Barba LT, Campos DM, Rascón MMN, Barrera VAR, Rascón AN. Descriptive aspects of odontoma: literature review. Rev Odont Mex. 2016; 20: e265–9.
Chi AC, Neville BW. Odontogenic cysts and tumors. Surg Pathol Clin. 2011; 4: 1027–91.
Rees V, Klare M, Samaniego V, Leiva F, Jara R, Martínez Rondanelli B, et al. Epidemiological features of 4777 cysts and odontogenic tumors based on the 2022 WHO classification. Oral Dis. 2025; 31: 532–40.
Lapthanasupkul P, Juengsomjit R, Klanrit P, Taweechaisupapong S, Poomsawat S. Oral and maxillofacial lesions in a Thai pediatric population: a retrospective review from two dental schools. J Med Assoc Thai. 2015; 98: 291–7.
da Silva VSA, Pedreira RPG, Sperandio FF, Nogueira DA, de Carli ML, Hanemann JA. Odontomas are associated with impacted permanent teeth in orthodontic patients. J Clin Exp Dent. 2019; 11: e790–4.
Mazur M, Di Giorgio G, Ndokaj A, Jedlinski M, Corridore D, Marasca B, et al. Characteristics, Diagnosis and treatment of compound odontoma associated with impacted teeth. Children (Basel). 2022; 9: 1509.
Vered M, Wright JM. Update from the 5th edition of the World Health Organization classification of head and neck tumors: odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumours. Head Neck Pathol. 2022; 16: 63–75.
Machado C de V, Knop LAH, da Rocha MCBS, Telles PDS. Impacted permanent incisors associated with compound odontoma. BMJ Case Rep. 2015; 2015: bcr2014208201.
Cheng FC, Chang JYF, Chen MH, Chen YC, Chen HY, Wang YL, et al. Radiographic characteristics of odontomas in patients in the National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital. J Dent Sci. 2023; 18: 392–9.
Hidalgo-Sánchez O, Leco-Berrocal MI, Martínez-González JM. Metaanalysis of the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of odontomas. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2008; 13: E730–4.
de Oliveira BH, Campos V, Marçal S. Compound odontoma—diagnosis and treatment: three case reports. Pediatr Dent. 2001; 23: 151–7.
Gedik R, Müftüoğlu S. Compound odontoma: differential diagnosis and review of the literature. West Indian Med J. 2014; 63: 793–5.
Choi WJ, Lee P, Thomas PC, Rath TJ, Mogensen MA, Dalley RW, et al. Imaging approach for jaw and maxillofacial bone tumors with updates from the 2022 World Health Organization classification. World J Radiol. 2024; 16: 294–316.
Gogri AA, Kadam SG, Umarji HR, Jain PN. Ameloblastic fibro-odontoma differentiating into odontoma: an old concept revised. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol. 2014; 26: 310-4.
Buchner A, Kaffe I, Vered M. Clinical and radiological profile of ameloblastic fibroodontoma: an update on an uncommon odontogenic tumor based on a critical analysis of 114 cases. Head Neck Pathol. 2013; 7: 54–63.
Bereket C, Çakır-Özkan N, Şener İ, Bulut E, Tek M. Complex and compound odontomas: analysis of 69 cases and a rare case of erupted compound odontoma. Niger J Clin Pract. 2015; 18: 726–30.
Cerci Akcay H, Sir E, Tas C, Akcay C, Aktoren O. The long-term management of a compound odontoma: successful implant rehabilitation after a four-year follow-up. Cureus. 2025; 17: e82960.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Burapha University
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
