Table 3: Differences between compound and complex odontomes

		Compound odontome		Complex odontome
Definition		Malformation in which all dental tissues are represented in a more orderly pattern than in the complex odontome so that the lesion consists of many tooth-like structures		Malformation in which all dental tissues are represented, individual tissues being mainly well-formed cut occurring in more or less disorderly pattern
Shape		Regularly shaped, solitary or multiple small denticles		Amorphous conglomeration of dental tissues
Appearance		Bizzare peg shaped teeth show anatomic resemblance to normal teeth		An irregular mass No morphologic similarity
Composition		They are formed of enamel and dentin, also have variable amounts of cementum and pulpal tissue		These tumors are formed of enamel and dentin, but they can also have variable amount of cementum and pulp tissue
Incidence		9 to 37%		5 to 30%
Sex		More common in females		It is seen more often in female patients
		But they are also seen both in males and females
Age		Commonly seen in second and third decades. Both complex and compound odontomas are most commonly found in younger patients with mean ages reported to be 14.8 and 20.3 years respectively.48
Classification		Compound odontome was classified as acc to Gravey et al		It occurs as a single mass or conglomeration of tissues
		•   Denticulo type (Fig. 1): Composed of two or more separate denticles, having crown and root, dental hard tissues resembling to that of tooth
		•   Particulate type (Fig. 1): Composed of two or more separate masses or particles, bearing no resemblance to tooth, consists of hard dental tissues
		•   Denticulo-particulate type: In this type, denticles and particles are present together.
		Commonly situated in the anterior segment (incisor-canine region of maxilla) of the jaws		Commonly situated in the molar region of mandible (first and second molar areas of the mandible)
Site predilection		But also located in rare instances in maxillary sinuses, pituitary region, subcondylar region, ramus of the mandible, middle ear, mental foramen and midpalatal region.
		Both type of odontomas occurred more frequently on the right side of the jaw than on the left.49
Associated		Commonly occur in permanent dentition and are rarely reported in association with primary teeth18-21
Signs and		•   Asymptomatic, although occasionally signs and symptoms relating to their presence do occur
Symptoms		•   These generally consist of
		–  Unerupted or impacted teeth,
		–  Impacted tooth,
		–  Retained deciduous teeth,
		–  Swelling and evidence of infection,
		–  Displacement of teeth and malocclusion.
		•   Compound odontomes seldom cause bony expansion but complex odontome often cause slight or even marked bony expansion.
Diagnosis		Both the lesion can be diagnosed by routine radiographs , but newer diagnostic techniques such as microradiography can be used.
Radiological features		Comparatively well-organized malformed teeth or tooth-like structures or denticles of varying size and shape surrounded by a narrow radiolucent zone (Fig. 2).		Irregular mass of calcified material surrounded by a narrow radiolucent band with a smooth outer periphery (Fig. 3).
Histopathology		Tooth-like structures with central cores of pulp tissue that are encased in shells of dentin and partially covered by enamel surrounded by a fibrous capsule similar to the follicle surrounding a normal tooth.		Microscopically they consist of haphazard conglomerates of dentin, enamel, enamel matrix, cementum and pulp tissue.
Treatment		Surgical excision