Too Many Teeth! What You Need To Know About Hyperdontia (Extra Teeth)

Hyperdontia is a rare dental condition in which a person has extra teeth growing in their mouth. Adults have 32 permanent teeth in their mount. However, a person with hyperdontia has supernumerary teeth. Just having one supernumerary tooth can classify a person as having the disorder. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with hyperdontia, you probably have several questions. Here are some important things you need to know about causes and treatments.

Causes of Hyperdontia

Scientists have been trying to figure out why some people have hyperdontia. However, much of the condition is still a mystery. Scientists believe that the main causes of the disorder include genetics and environmental factors. Although they believe environmental factors play a part, they haven't quite pinned down which environmental factors cause the issue. Other conditions can increase a person's chance of having hyperdontia. These conditions include Down Syndrome, Gardner's Syndrome, and a cleft pallet.

Types of Hyperdontia

Just like many other conditions, there are different types of hyperdontia. The type is classified by the way the supernumerary teeth present themselves. The types include:

• Conical
• Tuberculate
• Supplemental

Conical teeth are teeth that are cone shaped. They're often referred to as peg teeth. Canines are considered conical teeth. This is the most common type of supernumerary tooth. Most people with hyperdontia have one conical supernumerary tooth. The next type is tuberculate. This is where the tooth is barrel shaped. The barrel shaped teeth most often never grow roots or protrude the gums. Supplemental hyperdontia is where the teeth look completely normal. Sometimes supplemental hyperdontia is discovered as another whole set of teeth behind the adult teeth.

Hyperdontia Treatment

The treatment for hyperdontia depends on the patient. If it's a minor case that isn't causing any problems, the dentist might recommend to just leave it untreated. This would be the case if the teeth aren't crowded and the supernumerary tooth is aligned properly with the rest of the teeth. However, in most cases, the dentist will likely recommend that the supernumerary tooth or teeth are pulled. Once the teeth are removed, you might need to see an orthodontist to have your teeth realigned with braces or a retainer depending on the severity.

Hyperdontia is a rare condition that affects less than 1% of children and 2% of adults. However, dentists can recognize it and help treat it quickly. Often, an extraction is enough to fix the problem. Contact a dental clinic, such as Southdale Dental Office, to treat this condition if you have it.