Hyperdontia, also known as extra teeth or supernumerary teeth, is a dental condition in which additional permanent teeth are present. It may be caused by the normal development of an individual tooth being disturbed during its formation. Hyperdontia can occur with any tooth and may affect one or more than two sets of teeth. Let’s discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hyperdontia.
The most common symptoms of hyperdontia are an increased number of teeth or tooth crowding. Other symptoms may include difficulty chewing, biting, or swallowing, difficulties with speech, and a change in the smile’s appearance. The shapes of the extra teeth include conical, tuberculate, odontoma, peg-shaped, and supplemental. They are often located in the back of the mouth and can be difficult to see or brush.
Conical or peg-shaped teeth are wide at the base and taper to a point, while tuberculate teeth are shaped like small hills or mounds. Odontoma is an abnormal mass of dental tissue that can form anywhere in the mouth and may be mistaken for a tooth. Supplemental teeth are located between the normal maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, or canines. They are typically small and may not be visible in the mouth when talking.
The locations of the extra teeth can include paramolar, mesiodens, and distomolar. Paramolar teeth are located on the side of the jaw opposite from the molars, while distomolar teeth are located at the back of the lower jaw behind the last molar. Mesiodens teeth are found in the midline of the upper arch between the central incisors.
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It can be caused by several factors, including genetic, dental injuries, and environmental influences. It may also be the result of a disturbance during tooth development. Most cases of hyperdontia are sporadic, meaning that they occur randomly in individuals without any known family history. However, some cases may be inherited from a parent.
The condition is more common in males than females and usually appears before the age of 20. It is a relatively common condition and usually occurs as an isolated disorder. However, it can also occur with other dental or medical conditions such as cleft palate or Ectodermal Dysplasia.
Hyperdontia is caused by genetic factors that include disturbances during tooth development. It has been associated with certain syndromes such as cleidocranial dysplasia, Gardner syndrome, Nance-Horan syndrome, and ectodermal dysplasias.
Some researchers have believed that hyperdontia may be caused by disturbances in the activity of specific homeobox genes during tooth development, but more research is needed to support this theory.
Dental injuries can also cause hyperdontia by disrupting the normal development of a tooth. This may occur when a baby is delivered prematurely and has damaged teeth during birth. Trauma to the jaw from a car accident can also lead to hyperdontia.
Environmental factors that may contribute to extra teeth include radiation therapy and certain medications such as retinoic acid and cyclosporine A. These agents are known to stimulate the growth of teeth. Some congenital disabilities, such as cleft lip and palate, can also lead to hyperdontia. Other substances that affect pregnant women are alcohol, smoking tobacco products, cocaine use during pregnancy, and maternal malnutrition.
Hyperdontia is typically treated with a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures. Treatment is based on the patient’s age when symptoms first appeared, their overall health, location of extra teeth, and how many extra teeth are present.
Dentists recommend removing extra teeth when excessive growth of the teeth and jaw can cause pain, breathing difficulties, poor nutrition, and other health problems.
Surgical procedures involve removing the extra teeth and performing under local or general anesthesia. Tooth extraction is typically used for those hyperdontia cases that involve unerupted or impacted teeth, such as paramolars. Orthodontics is not recommended for extracting extra teeth because it could crowd existing adult teeth following treatment.
Orthodontic appliances may be used to correct teeth alignment. This may include braces, retainers, or expanders. These appliances are usually worn for a period of 12 to 24 months.
Jaw surgery is often recommended for those cases that involve extensive dental anomalies, such as multiple supernumerary teeth or malformed teeth. This procedure may also be used for those patients with extra teeth resulting from cleft lip and palate defects. Jaw surgery involves either widening or closing the upper jaw, depending on the degree of abnormality present in a patient’s facial features and overall health status.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, please consult your dentist for diagnosis and treatment. Early detection and treatment can help prevent further dental problems.
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