Compound Odontoma of the Anterior Maxilla Associated with Displaced Lateral Incisor: A Case Report

Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumors worldwide and are usually chance findings seen on routine dental examinations. However, on progression, they may be associated with adjacent tooth displacement.

We report a case of an 11-year-old girl who presented at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) pediatric dental clinic with a complaint of painless enlargement of the left anterior maxilla of 2-years duration. The swelling was located between teeth 21 and 22 and was associated with distal displacement and mesial angulation of tooth 22. Clinical, radiographic and histopathologic investigations revealed a compound odontoma. Surgical exposure and enucleation was done to remove the tumor. The patient's postoperative course and 6 months follow-up were uneventful.

This report elucidates the importance of routine dental check-ups and minimally traumatic management of odontomas in pediatric dental patients to prevent adverse effects of odontomas, thereby, minimizing the interventions needed after surgical enucleation.