Location, complications and treatment of mesiodentes--a retrospective study in children.

Out of approximately 11 500 children, who had been referred to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Institute for Postgraduate Education,Jönköping, Sweden, 97 individuals had a total of 123 mesiodentes. Their dental records and radiographs were analysed in order to study the clinical and radiographic features of the mesiodentes, to record the complications caused by them and to evaluate different forms of treatment. In the present study, the predominant location of the mesiodentes was palatally with 39 per cent in an inverted position. Arrest of the permanent incisors eruption, midline diastema and displacement or rotation of the incisors, were the most common complications found. On the contrary, no follicular cysts or resorption of either the mesiodens or the adjacent teeth were found. Fourty-three out of the 97 individuals were radiographically followed and no pathological findings were recorded. This study shows that the risk of complications caused by the mesiodentes seems to be very low and therefore a more restrictive attitude towards their surgical removal can be recommended.