The relationship between a primary maxillary incisor with a talon cusp and the permanent successor: a study of 57 cases

BACKGROUND: Most reported cases of talon cusps in the primary dentition have been on the maxillary central incisors and the permanent successors have remained unaffected. Four of the five reported cases on a maxillary lateral incisor, however, have been associated with a supernumerary permanent successor. AIM: This paper describes the relationship between the presence of talon cusps on a primary maxillary incisor, and the morphology and number of the permanent successors in a population of Chinese children. DESIGN: The dental records of children diagnosed with a talon cusp on a primary incisor were retrieved for review. The diagnoses took place in a regional school dental clinic in Hong Kong between April 2002 and August 2005. RESULTS: Fifty-eight primary maxillary incisors with talon cusps were found. When the central incisors were involved, 32 of the 35 (91.4%) underlying permanent successors were not found to be associated with any odontogenic abnormalities. When the lateral incisors were involved, however, 18 of the 23 cases (78.3%) showed odontogenic abnormalities, 14 of which were associated with supernumerary teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that, when there is a talon cusp on a primary maxillary lateral incisor, a high proportion of the underlying permanent successors can be expected to exhibit odontogenic abnormalities.