Tooth abnormalities in pediatric patients of Kavanayén, Bolívar - Venezuela

Abstract

Introduction: Dental anomalies result from alterations in odontogenesis, generating variations in size, shape, structure or number of teeth, being more prevalent in the permanent dentition. Objective: To describe the alterations in shape, number and eruption observed clinically in children and adolescents of the Pemón-Arekuna indigenous population of Kavanayén, Bolivar State, Venezuela. Material and methods: A descriptive field research, cross-sectional design was carried out. The data were collected in an epidemiological study during the medical-dental care activities of Fundación Proyecto Mayū in Kavanayén, Bolívar State, Venezuela, in April 2023. A total of 179 patients, 102 girls and 77 boys, aged between 7 months and 17 years, were clinically evaluated, recording the anomalies of shape, number and eruption detected. Results: Alterations in shape, number and eruption were identified in 8 patients, resulting in a prevalence of 4.47%. The prevalence of shape abnormalities was 1.12%. Likewise, the prevalence of alterations in number was 1.12% for supernumeraries and 1.12% for agenesis, as each alteration affected 2 patients. On the other hand, the prevalence of eruption alterations was 3.35%, being present in 6 of the patients. Conclusions:The clinically evaluated dental shape, number and eruption alterations presented moderate prevalence in the Pemón-Arekuna indigenous population of Kavanayén. The present study did not have radiographic information, so the results underline the importance of future research to clarify and enrich the understanding of these dental anomalies in specific contexts.