Evaluation of oral cavity pathologies in pediatric dentistry patients: A 10-year retrospective study.

This study examines oral cavity pathologies' prevalence and age distribution in pediatric patients. All biopsy records performed in Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery clinic between 2013-2023 were obtained from patient files and electronic databases. The files of patients aged 0-18 were selected, and demographic data and biopsy results were examined. The study population was divided into three groups according to the condition of the dentition. Pathology results were analyzed in 4 groups: developmental odontogenic cysts, inflammatory odontogenic cysts, tumoral lesions, and others. Obtained data and classifications were subjected to statistical analysis. A total of 411 biopsy results in pediatric patients were included in the study. Compared to all biopsies taken, a rate of 17.5% was observed. Since only three patients in the 0-6 age group were observed, they were not included in the statistical analysis. 69.3% of all pathologies were observed in the 12-18 age group and 30% in the 6-12 age group. The most common pathologies were radicular cysts (37.9%), dentigerous cysts (17.9%), and giant cell granulomas (7%). An increase in the prevalence and diversity of pathologies was observed with increasing age. In addition, developmental odontogenic cysts had significantly larger lesion sizes compared to inflammatory odontogenic cysts and other groups in terms of pathology dimensions (p:0.001 and p:0.000). In patients under 18 years of age, the prevalence of pathologies and diagnostic diversity increase as age progresses. Radicular cysts, dentigerous cysts, and giant cell granulomas are among the most common lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]