In man, the position of the teeth plays a leading role in determining the esthetics as well as the different functions of the orofacial region.

The presence of teeth in the dental arches results from a physiological event, namely, tooth eruption.

For various reasons, eruption does not always occur at the expected time and leads to tooth retention or impaction.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of tooth impaction and retention in a black Senegalese population.

Our basis was a radioclinical study comprising 343 panoramic radiographs of patients consulting in the various departments of the Odontology Department of the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar during the period from January 1^st 1996 to December 31^st 2005.

Our sample included 12% of impaction cases and 6% of dental retentions. Tooth impaction is more frequent among females and is encountered more frequently in the maxilla than in the mandible. The 13-18 year old age group displayed the largest number of tooth impactions and retentions. The teeth most likely to exhibit impaction and retention were, in decreasing order of frequency: canines, premolars, molars and incisors.

Although low in comparison with data in the literature, this level of prevalence should not be neglected as these anomalies can give rise to numerous complications and can assist in the early diagnosis of certain general diseases.