They are usually clinically asymptomatic and are diagnosed on routine radiological examination in the second decade of life.
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The eruption and infection of odontomas are uncommon and very few cases are reported in the literature. This paper reports two cases of complex odontomas with such unusual features.
The term odontoma was first coined by Broca in 1866, who defined it as a tumor formed by overgrowth of complete dental tissue.
They are composed of ename, dentin, cementum and occasionally pulp tissue. The exact etiology of odontomas is uncertain, different factors such as local trauma, infection, growth pressure, hereditary and developmental influences may be implicated.
According to the 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of odontogenic tumors, there are two types of odontomas, composite and complex odontomas.
Odontomas have also been classified as central odontoma (occur inside the bone), peripheral odontoma ( occur in the soft tissue covering the tooth-bearing portions of the jaws, which tends to exfoliate) and erupted odontoma.
Though odontomas are common, eruption into the oral cavity and getting infected are exceptionally rare. Two cases of complex odontomas exhibiting unusual features are reported in this paper.
