Publish on Apr 28, 2023
The condition known as hyperdontia, which refers to the presence of extra teeth on either the upper or lower jaw, can afflict people of any age and result in various dental issues. Any extra teeth, referred to as supernumerary teeth (ST), could need to be extracted or, at the very least, monitored for some time. In addition, some patients with this problem might benefit from orthodontic treatment with braces, aligners, or surgery.
Contacting a dentist as soon as possible is highly recommended if you have been diagnosed with Hyperdontia. It is possible to prevent disturbance to your oral development with early detection and treatment.
What is Hyperdontia?
If you're an adult, you should have a total of 16 teeth across both your upper and lower jaws unless you're missing a tooth somewhere along the way. When an adult has more than 32 teeth in their mouth, they are said to suffer from the disorder known as Hyperdontia.
An element of chance is involved in getting an excessive number of teeth. No regular pattern can be used to determine whether teeth are additional or supernumerary teeth. It's possible that they're molars or canines. And Hyperdontia can manifests itself in either the lower or the upper arch at any point.
Sometimes the extra tooth comes out through the gum, where it is clearly noticeable. Other times, it grows underneath the gum. It could have an unpleasant appearance due to its odd size or shape.
Problems with the Teeth Induced by Hyperdontia
Failure on the part of additional teeth to erupt
It is possible for a tooth to become impacted if it does not successfully erupt or break through the gum. This issue might arise if an extra tooth develops in an abnormal place, such as behind another tooth. Impacted teeth can lead to a number of complications throughout the teething process, including displacement and malocclusion.
Permanent dislocation of teeth
The presence of a supernumerary baby tooth that has not yet come through the gums can cause the growth of a permanent tooth in the incorrect direction, such as laterally or forward. This occurs because the two teeth develop in the same region of the dental arch at the same time.
Crowded set of teeth
The maximum number of teeth that can fit comfortably in your jaw is 32. Your mouth may get too crowded if you have any additional teeth.
Cysts that form in the teeth
It is possible for cysts or little mounds packed with fluid to form on top of the impacted tooth. Moreover, the gum tissue that surrounds a nearby normal tooth, as well as the gum tissue that surrounds the supernumerary tooth itself, may be damaged.
Further damage to the teeth
It is possible for a tooth to acquire some structural flaws if it does not emerge properly because of the presence of a supernumerary tooth. One may be a malformed root, short, or improperly developed.
Preventing patients from receiving necessary dental procedures
Patients who suffer from Hyperdontia might not be candidates for particular surgical treatments.
Potential Triggers for the Development of Hyperdontia
There are a few different hypotheses regarding the origin of supernumerary teeth, but no one really knows what causes them. These are the following:
Split tooth bud
This idea, also known as a dichotomy of the tooth bud, proposes that the creation of supernumerary teeth is linked to the initial stage of tooth development, which involves the tooth bud separating into two separate teeth.
Hyperactive dental lamina
In the jaw, the development of a tooth bud is preceded by the formation of a band of tissue known as the dental lamina. During this stage of tooth production, hyperactivity might result in the formation of two dental buds rather than simply one, which can cause ST.
Genetics
In some families, Hyperdontia is more likely to be inherited. According to this notion, a youngster with ancestors with supernumerary teeth already has a greater chance of developing the anomaly.
Do You Need to Have Surgery?
The most common form of medical treatment for Hyperdontia is surgery; however, this procedure might not be essential or might not even be possible for certain people. Your dentist may recommend this treatment to accomplish either or both of the following goals:
Remove the extra tooth if it's bothering you
If the impacted tooth does not emerge, it should be exposed. However, there are situations when delaying the removal of the Hyperdontia is the best course of action. Instead, your dentist will most likely suggest scheduling routine checkups.
The troublesome tooth might have to be extracted in the future, depending on whether or not other difficulties arise.
Your comprehensive Hyperdontia treatment plan may include orthodontic appliances such as braces and tooth aligners. Because of Hyperdontia, you could require them to rectify the misalignment of your teeth.