Prevalence of double (fused/geminated) primary teeth in Turkey -a study

ABSTRACT

The purposes of this study was to investigate the prevalence of primary double [fused I geminated] teeth in a group of Turkish children and to compare the distribution of different types of double primary teeth and their relationship to permanent successors. 4619 dental records of Turkish children in the age range of 2 to 12 years were examined in the dental faculty hospital, Erciyes University Turkey between 2005 and 2010 and were included in this study. Radiographs and photographs of these children were also taken at the time of examination. The data [age, sex and systemic disease or syndrome] were obtained from the patient files and analyzed for double teeth. The occurrence of double primary teeth and their effects on the permanent dentition were also recorded. The prevalence of double primary teeth in children under 12 years of age in this study was 0.38%. 22 double primary teeth were detected. 45.4% were mandibular lateral incisors and canines 81.8% of cases experienced further problems in the permanent successors. Hypodontia [77.2%] was the common problem in the permanent successors. The affiliation between double primary teeth and permanent successors justifies radiographic examination to evaluate the number and condition of permanent successors and to determine a proper treatment plan