title: Prevalence and characteristics of non-syndromic distomolars: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Distomolars are defined as the supernumerary teeth that erupt distal to the third molar. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of distomolars in permanent dentition in a non-syndromic Turkish subpopulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 10 111 panoramic radiographs of patients aged 18 years and over, who had no systemic diseases and syndromes, and who had not undergone any extractions in the third molar area, were examined to determine the presence, location, shape, and laterality of distomolars. The patients' age and sex were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that distomolars were observed in 0.26% of the investigated population. Distomolars were seen in 0.29% of male patients and in 0.23% of female patients. In total, 30 distomolars were observed in 26 patients. Maxillary distomolars were more frequently encountered than mandibular teeth. Bilateral distomolars were found in three male patients. Of the 30 distomolars, 25 were impacted and five were erupted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the frequency of distomolars is low, early diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize or prevent complications, such as delayed eruption, tooth displacement, crowding, root resorption of the adjacent tooth, and cystic formations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kahraman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Güngör
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oğuzhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Demirel
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Özütürk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000453:epidemiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: distomolar; fourth molar; non-syndromic; panoramic radiograph; supernumerary teeth