Imaging characteristics of gubernaculum tracts in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia: a computed tomography study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo elucidate the imaging characteristics of the gubernaculum tract (GT) in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) as visualized with computed tomography (CT). Study DesignThis was a retrospective analysis of the presence and shape of GTs of unerupted permanent teeth and supernumerary teeth on CT in 9 patients with CCD. ResultsThe overall GT detection rate for unerupted permanent teeth was 83.5% (81/97), with no significant difference between permanent teeth without and with adjacent supernumerary teeth (P=0.414). The overall GT detection rate for unerupted supernumerary teeth was 83.1% (49/59). Of the 156 total unerupted teeth analyzed, 83.3% (130/156) were judged to have GTs. No significant difference in detection rate of GTs was found between permanent and supernumerary teeth (P=1.000). A composite GT morphology consisted of a single tract for a permanent unerupted tooth with one or two supernumerary teeth in which the dental follicles of the permanent and supernumerary teeth were confluent. In total, 44 groups consisted of one permanent and one or two supernumerary teeth; 79.5% (35/44) had GTs. ConclusionsA specific composite structure of GTs and dental follicles may signify that two or three teeth are derived from a single dental lamina in patients with CCD. In such cases, tooth eruption may fail due to the presence of only one GT for multiple teeth.