Delayed Eruption of Permanent Lower Lateral Incisor in Relation to Compound Odontoma: A Case Report.

AIM: To report a delayed tooth eruption following late surgical removal of a compound odontoma in a 10-year-old child.

BACKGROUND

Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumors. They are usually asymptomatic and discovered during routine radiographic examinations or during an assessment of delayed tooth eruption. Odontomas are classified into compound or complex based on the microscopic structure of dental tissues. Early diagnosis and surgical removal of odontomas is the keyword for favorable results.

CASE DESCRIPTION: This paper describes a case of compound odontomas in a 10-year-old boy that prevented eruption of the permanent mandibular lateral incisor. Extraction of mandibular primary lateral incisors and surgical excision of the compound odontomas was performed. After 3 years of follow-up, at the age of 13 years, the permanent lateral incisor erupted and approached the occlusal plane.

CONCLUSION

Late surgical removal of odontomas resulted in a delayed eruption of the affected teeth.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surgical removal of odontomas and regular follow-up to monitor the eruption of the affected teeth should be considered for the teeth with an open apex before considering orthodontic traction.