title: Fused and Geminated Permanent Maxillary Central Incisors: Prevalence, Treatment Options, and Outcome in Orthodontic Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Developmental disturbances during tooth formation may cause abnormalities in tooth size and shape, resulting in poor dental and facial esthetics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fused/geminated teeth in the maxillary anterior region of orthodontically treated patients, and present treatment options and their outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-treatment facial and intraoral photographs, study models, and panoramic and periapical radiographs of 574 consecutively treated patients (mean age: 13.3 years) from the orthodontic department were examined for the presence of fusion or gemination in the maxillary anterior region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were eight patients (1.4 percent) with fused/geminated teeth in the maxillary anterior region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence found is relatively high compared to previous reports. Esthetic consideration is a determining factor for various treatment alternatives. A multidisciplinary approach is imperative for the successful treatment of these dental abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Yehoshua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bechor
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. yehoshua.shapira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shpack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005260:Female; D005671:Fused Teeth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*