Some people experience a condition where they have extra teeth in their mouth. These teeth, known as supernumerary teeth, may grow in any part of the arch. There have been cases where people have hundreds of extra teeth, but hyperdontia may involve just a single additional tooth.
While the cause of hyperdontia is unknown, it can occur with specific health conditions. These include Gardner's syndrome, which also exhibits other unusual growths, a condition known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that affects joints and muscles, Fabry disease, which prevents normal sweating, cleft palate or lip, and cleidocranial dysplasia where the skull and collarbone don't grow properly. Furthermore, men are twice as likely to have this condition as women are.
The main symptom of hyperdontia is extra teeth that appear in front of, behind, or next to healthy adult teeth. These teeth may be shaped like regular teeth or have unusual shapes such as barrels or cones. Some supernumerary teeth may consist of several small growths. While some of these teeth are visible and obvious, that isn't always the case. A supernumerary tooth could be embedded below the gums. A person who has extra molars may not realize this right away, especially if they have not routinely visited the dentist. This is why children need to visit Your Dental Office in Toronto.
The extra teeth may cause pressure in the jaw and gums, and overcrowding may cause the main teeth to grow crooked. Occasionally, extra teeth can cause difficulty chewing or speaking and may make it difficult to clean teeth, leading to decay.
The main treatment of hyperdontia is removal of the extra teeth. Ideally, this would happen during childhood, before the supernumerary teeth have had a chance to grow to full size and cause other problems. Early extraction may be the only intervention necessary. However, the remaining teeth may require braces to straighten them. Some teeth may also need repairs in the form of fillings, crowns, or veneers.
However, it may not be necessary to remove an extra tooth if it doesn't cause issues. Patients can visit Your Dental Office in Toronto to determine if removal is necessary.