Low-Dose CBCT for Localization of Impacted Supernumerary Teeth in Children

Abstract

Background: In children, impacted supernumerary teeth usually present problems as delayed eruption of the permanent successors, leading to esthetics and functional problems. The accurate localization of these impacted supernumerary teeth is mandatory to avoid injuring the developing permanent teeth during surgical removal. Use of low-dose CBCT can provide a detailed three-dimensional image facilitating its use in children. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of low-dose CBCT in localization of impacted supernumerary teeth before surgical removal in children.Methods: Ten children having unerupted permanent incisors were recruited. Periapical radiographs were done to confirm the presence of impacted supernumerary teeth. A low-dose CBCT was done for each child with proper interpretation and measurements obtained for accurate localization. Surgery was done after that for all cases to confirm the proper location and measurements gathered from the cone beam interpretation using a periodontal probe. Results: With the aid of the measures obtained from the interpretation of the low-dose CBCT, there was an increased accuracy in the surgical approach for removing the supernumerary teeth. In addition, there was a reduction in the number of radiographs needed for accurate localization and decreased tissue injury and possibility of damage for the permanent successors or adjacent teeth. Conclusion/Clinical Significance: Low-dose CBCT can be used for better evaluation and localization of impacted supernumerary teeth before surgery.