Study of the frequency, localisation and morphology of supernumerary teeth in 1960 Spanish non-syndromic paediatric patients.

AIM: The main objective was to study supernumerary teeth diagnosed during the routine checkups at the Paediatric Dentistry Service of Hospital de Nens, Barcelona (Spain), for four months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal, descriptive study, was performed in 1,960 patients, aged 1 to 17 years, visited during routine oral checkups. An intraoral exploration (with intraoral mirror and probe) was performed to all patients, and subjects older than 5 years also underwent panoramic x-ray examination. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients showed supernumerary teeth (1.68%), 22 boys and 11 girls. A total of 10 patients (8 boys/2 girls) had supernumerary teeth in the temporary dentition, 20 patients (12 boys/8 girls) in the permanent dentition and 3 patients (2 boys/1girls) in both temporary and permanent dentition. A total of 46 supernumerary teeth were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Any alteration in the number of teeth in patients younger than 5 years are difficult to diagnose, as x-rays are usually not taken. We believe that starting at 5 years old, a radiological exploration (panoramic x-ray) has to be carried out as a complement to the clinical examination.