Compound and complex odontomas

One hundred forty-nine cases of odontoma were reviewed: sixty-five cases were accepted from the literature, and eighty-four additional cases were included from the files of the Pathology Department of the Emory University School of Dentistry. The cases were combined and analyzed together. Odontomas are most often diagnosed in the second decade of life. Sixty-five per cent of all odontomas occur in the maxilla. Compound odontomas are more common in the anterior maxilla, whereas complex odontomas occur more frequently in the posterior jaws. A slight predominance in males was seen. The most common presenting symptom was an impacted tooth with retention of deciduous teeth.