Tooth transposition: a descriptive study in a 547-patient sample.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this investigation was to study the prevalence of tooth transposition in a population of orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 547 patient records from our dentofacial orthopedics department were consulted. Each file included clinical observations, panoramic radiography, lateral cephalograms and dental casts. Patients with incomplete or poorly kept orthodontic records were excluded from the sample, as were those with unreadable panoramic radiographs. The classification of tooth transpositions used in the study was that first proposed by S. Peck and L. Peck in 1995. Computerized statistical analysis was performed using Epi-Info 6.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of tooth transposition was 2%, with the female population more heavily affected (64%). Tooth transposition occurred only in the maxillary arch. Of all the teeth, the canines were the most involved in this anomaly (100%). Transposition was associated with tooth agenesis in 18% of cases, peg lateral incisors in 27%, and persistent deciduous teeth in 18%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tooth transposition in this study population remained low, but was nonetheless higher than that found in most published investigations.