When most people think of dental problems, they usually think of cavities, missing teeth, or gum disease. But there is another problem that dentists sometimes see in their patients — Hyperdontia.
Extraction is the first line of treatment to fix hyperdontia. X-rays are frequently taken to check for supernumerary teeth before extraction in order to determine if they are impacted or erupted. If partially or entirely erupted, supernumerary teeth can readily be removed.
Hyperdontia is a dental problem that causes people to have more teeth than normal. This can be a real problem because it can make chewing and brushing your teeth difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to fix hyperdontia. Keep reading to learn more!
What is Hyperdontia?
Hyperdontia is a dental condition that causes a child to be born with a tooth that is not fully formed. This tooth is often called an “extra tooth.” Hyperdontia can also cause a child to have extra-long teeth. These types of teeth are more prone to decay and can cause problems if left untreated. Hyperdontia is a circumstance characterized by the presence of more than 20 primary teeth and more than 32 permanent teeth. Supernumerary teeth can appear in any position along the dental arch, although posterior permanent incisors are most common in the maxillary (upper) arch.
The next most prevalent supernumerary teeth are the fourth molars (maxillary and mandibular upper arch) in the maxilla and mandible. Most wisdom teeth are discovered in individuals under the age of 25. Individuals with extra impacted wisdom teeth often present with these.
How is Hyperdontia Diagnosed?
A dentist is usually the one who makes the diagnosis of hyperdontia. They will carefully examine your child’s teeth and may take x-rays of the mouth to determine if hyperdontia is present. Your dentist may also utilize a CT scan to obtain greater detail of your mouth, jaw, and teeth.
How Common is Hyperdontia?
Up to 4% of the population has hyperdontia, which ranges from 1% to 4%. There is a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 and the majority only affects one tooth. There have been recorded occurrences of over 30 extra teeth in one individual, although such huge numbers are unusual.
What Causes Hyperdontia?
The exact reason for hyperdontia is unknown, but it appears to be linked with a variety of inherited diseases, including:
- Fabry disease. The condition is characterized by a lack of sweating, unpleasant hands and feet, red or blue skin rashes, and abdominal discomfort.
- Cleft palate and lip. One of the most common birth defects is a cleft lip or palate, which occurs when a section of the roof of the mouth (palate) forms at an angle. It can also happen to other locations in the body, such as abnormalities in fingers and toes. The presence of this defect causes problems with eating or talking, and ear infections.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Some people are born with hypermobile joints that cause their bodies to dislocate easily, while others develop bruises on the skin due to bruising easily or have scoliosis as well.
- Cleidocranial dysplasia. This condition causes the growth of the skull and clavicle to be abnormal.
- Gardner’s syndrome. A rare genetic disease that causes cysts, tumors, and tumors in the skin, skull, and intestines.
Diet, genetics, and environmental factors may all play a role in hyperdontia, although this has yet to be confirmed. If hyperdontia occurs after the age of seven years old, there is usually no physiological basis for the condition.
Is Growing Extra Teeth Bad?
Growing extra teeth is not bad. In most cases, hyperdontia is a harmless disorder in which the child is born with extra teeth. But when hyperdontia causes problems, it’s time for a dentist to step in and fix what needs fixing.
Some cases of hyperdontia are more simple than others. In some instances, all that may be needed is the removal of the excess tooth or teeth by a dentist. In other cases, however, there may be an issue with an additional tooth pushing up against another, causing pressure on both teeth leading to decay and pain. In these cases, treatment must be more involved.
Usually, hyperdontia is discovered at or soon after birth. Because hyperdontia presents itself so early in life, it makes for an ideal time to get treatment started. If hyperdontia goes untreated until adulthood, there’s the potential that the impacted tooth could block other important structures like nerve endings and blood vessels – leading to serious consequences.
How is Hyperdontia Treated?
Some hyperdontia instances do not require treatment, while others need the extra teeth to be removed. If you have extra teeth, your dentist will probably recommend removing them for the following reasons:
- Extra teeth may be caused by an underlying genetic condition that causes the additional teeth to develop.
- If you can’t chew well or your extra teeth bite your mouth when you chew,
- Overcrowding might cause pain or discomfort.
- If you have extra teeth, it might be difficult to brush your teeth correctly or floss regularly because of the additional teeth, which may cause decay or gum disease.
- You may be self-conscious or uncomfortable with the appearance of your extra teeth.
Patients with hyperdontia can opt for treatment options such as orthodontic movement of teeth or jaw surgery/alveolar bone grafting to clear space for hypertonic teeth. Whatever treatment they choose, early diagnosis and intervention are key to ensuring healthy teeth and a vibrant smile.
No matter what type of hyperdontia you’re dealing with, the first step is always to consult a dentist. Hyperdontia can be hereditary, and you and your dentist will want to know how it came about and if hyperdontia runs in your family. There may even be something that can be done pre-birth through genetic counseling – this would provide an opportunity for hyperdontia treatment to begin prior to birth.
Regardless of what hyperdontia treatment you choose, the key factor is early diagnosis of hyperdontia followed by a quick intervention from a dentist. If hyperdontia teeth are not treated immediately or appropriately, problems can become more serious or complicated – leading to additional dental issues later down the line. Learning as much as you can now ensure that hyperdontia and its treatment go smoothly later in life.
Do You Need Braces if You Have Hyperdontia?
When hyperdontia is identified in children, they may be led to follow through with orthodontic treatments. If hyperdontia is left untreated, the hypertonic tooth can cause decay and give rise to bacteria around it.
Even when braces are used, hyperdontia can increase the risk of cavities even more than teeth that do not have hyperdontia. Before starting hypertonic treatment, parents usually want to ensure that their child’s teeth will receive the proper care before any permanent changes are made.
Extractions or other dental procedures may be required for patients with hyperdontia. At a dentist’s office, they can remove the extra tooth or teeth and then straighten your bite to give you an attractive smile. Not all patients require extraction; rather, they need only orthodontic treatment. A consultation with a board-certified orthodontist can help you decide on the best course of action for your unique situation.
