Can we predict eruption of impacted teeth associated with dentigerous cysts in children?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacted teeth due to DC (dentigerous cyst) after marsupialization and to identify which factors are related with the spontoneus eruption of those teeth among children. Materials and Methods: The records of 63 children who received marsupialization due to an impacted tooth associated with DC, were evaluated in the terms of factors that may affect the spontaneous eruption. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the situation of eruption of the tooth. The data from these patients were collected. The eruption of the tooth, along with related factors such as age, gender, tooth depth, angulation, root formation, interval to eruption, cyst size and use of obturator/space maintainer, were analyzed. Results: The mean value of tooth depth was 11.1±3.2 mm in the non erupted group and 8.1±3.9 mm in erupted group; additionally the mean values of angulation in nonerupted group was 41.5±22.6 and 27.9±21.3 degrees in erupted group. These two factors were associated with non-eruption of impacted tooth in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The depth and angle of the tooth can be considered as important factors in predicting whether the impacted tooth will erupt after marsupialization. In addition, if DC is detected in the presence of permanent teeth with delayed eruption, it may be advisable to start the treatment before the physiological eruption time of the impacted tooth, not to make a an obturator or a space maintainer if there is not a long time between the normal eruption time and the age to start treatment.