Investigation of the peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors in a Turkish orthodontic subpopulation

Abstract

Aim: The following study aims to investigate the prevalence and distribution of the peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors in a Turkish orthodontic subpopulation. Materials and Methods: A study sample consisted of 2925 patients of which 1746 were females and 1179 were males with aged range from 10 to 18 years; (mean age, 13.40 ± 1.9 years) were retrospectively examined using panoramic radiographs, dental cast and pre-treatment records for the presence of the peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical comparisons. Results: Peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors were found in 2.15% of the patients (63/2925; 41 females and 22 males) with no statistically significant difference between the genders. However, females had more peg-shaped maxillary left lateral incisors compared with the males ( P = 0.007). It was almost equally distributed as bilateral (1.09%, 32/2925) or unilateral (1.06%, 31/2925). Conclusion: It was found to be 2.15% (63 out of 2925 patients) with no gender difference except for the peg-shaped maxillary left lateral incisors. Clinicians should be aware of this anomaly prior to treatment for possible complications.