Prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies in permanent teeth among children and adolescents attending the University Dental Hospital in Sivas, Türkiye: a radiographic cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Dental anomalies (DA) in pediatric patients can have wide-ranging implications, including impaired aesthetics, compromised oral function and adverse effects on psychological well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of DA according to gender and jaw in permanent teeth of children and adolescents attending the University Dental Hospital in Sivas, Türkiye and to compare the findings with reports from other regions of Türkiye and worldwide populations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated digital panoramic radiographs and clinical records of 1030 patients aged 8 to 15 years who attended for routine treatment at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Dental Hospital between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023. A calibrated examiner conducted the evaluation to identify dental anomalies, which were categorized into four subgroups: number, size, shape and position anomalies. The significance of associations between categorical variables was assessed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's Exact test, with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the patients included in the study, 53.6% were female and 46.4% were male. The prevalence of dental anomalies was 20.7% and the mean age of children with dental anomalies was 10.88 ± 2.32 years. The most prevalent dental anomaly was tooth agenesis (9.7%), followed by ectopic eruption (3.3%), root dilaceration (2.8%), impacted teeth (1.8%) and taurodontism (1.2%) respectively. Taurodontism was significantly more prevalent in males than in females (p = 0.043). A significantly higher number of dental anomalies were observed in the maxilla compared to the mandible (p = 0.004). Hyperdontia, macrodontia, microdontia, talon cusp and ectopic eruption were significantly more prevalent in the maxilla, while hypodontia was more prevalent in the mandible (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental anomalies in permanent teeth among children and adolescents in Sivas was relatively high. The most common dental anomaly was tooth agenesis. The results of this hospital-based study provide baseline information for the region.