Surgical Management of Compound Odontoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Odontomas are the most common type of benign odontogenic tumors, representing around 70% of all odontogenic tumors of the jaws. Odontoma is typically present in the first and second decades of life. Morphologically, compound odontomas appear as deposited dental tissues in a pattern that makes a tooth-like structure. Compound odontomas can occur in any area of the jaws; however, the anterior maxilla is the most common location of compound odontomas. In the current report, we aimed to remove the tumor surgically to avoid unwanted consequences of odontomas, such as eruption disturbance, root resorption, tooth malalignment, and cortical bone expansion.  An 11-year-old female patient presented to the pediatric dental clinic in Security Forces Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, complaining of multiple carious teeth. A routine panoramic radiograph showed a well-defined radiopaque mass surrounded by a thin halo in the right maxillary anterior region. This mass comprised multiple small, tooth-like structures. Upon pulpation, a palatal bulge was detected on the right side of the anterior part of maxilla. Since the patient showed anxious dental behavior and needed comprehensive dental treatment, she was scheduled for surgical removal of the mass under general anesthesia. Tiny tooth-like structures were removed and sent to the histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. Follow-up appointments for the patients were scheduled to be after two weeks, one month, and six months. In conclusion, this case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention in managing compound odontomas to avoid the unwanted consequences of the tumor.