A confusing concept has been how to identify the compound and complex types of odontoma. There are no well-established criteria that separate these two types but fortunately there is no significant clinical difference. Some odontomas can be treated by simple radiographic recognition if they do not interfere with tooth eruption. Therefore, we do not try to make a distinction between the compound and complex types. Surgical removal is indicated if there is an associated impacted tooth and the odontoma is impeding its eruption.
Recurrences are extremely rare.
In the event of being diagnosed in an adult with no effect on adjacent teeth, there is little to suggest that removal would be beneficial. The reason for this is that there is little probability for developing a pathologic lesion around an odontoma that has been present for a long time. When considering whether to treat an odontoma, consideration should be given to the potential damage caused by surgical removal as compared to the benefit derived from its removal. For some patients, the odontoma is best treated as by simple radiographic recognition. However, there is one problem that is unique to the biopsy done with a laser.