Hyperdontia Explained: Why Extra Teeth Develop And How They Are Treated

What Is Hyperdontia?

What is hyperdontia? The hyperdontia definition can be described as the presence of extra teeth, also referred to as supernumerary teeth. Normally, most children have 20 baby/primary teeth, while adults are expected to have 32 adult/permanent teeth. In some cases, children or adults may have extra teeth beyond the normal amount that erupt or remain underneath the gums (tooth impaction).

You may not know that you have extra teeth until diagnosed by your dentist, as some can be asymptomatic or only detected by dental X-rays. However, some extra teeth may cause oral health issues, including pain, swelling, damage, or complications with the eruption of nearby teeth, overcrowding, or cysts. Routine dental visits are crucial for detecting and treating conditions like extra teeth early for better health outcomes.

Types Of Extra Teeth (Supernumerary Teeth)

There are several types of hyperdontia, which vary by factors such as location and tooth shape. Common types include mesiodens, paramolars and distomolars, supplemental, and impacted supernumerary teeth. Here’s more about each type:

Mesiodens

One of the most common types of hyperdontia is mesiodens. Mesiodens are located between the upper two front teeth (central incisors). Their appearance is typically small and abnormally shaped. Common symptoms of mesiodens include crowding, tooth misalignment, and disrupted eruption of permanent teeth.

Paramolars And Distomolars

Paramolars and distomolars are extra teeth that appear towards the back of the mouth near the molars. Paramolars typically occur on the cheek or tongue side between molars, while distomolars are found behind third molars (wisdom teeth). These teeth are often small and irregularly shaped. These extra teeth may not be painful but cause complications, including crowding, tooth impaction, or tooth decay.

Supplemental Teeth

Supplemental teeth are extra teeth that look almost identical to normal teeth. This can make it particularly hard for individuals to notice their presence until diagnosed by a dental professional. They commonly affect adult teeth and lead to crowding, misalignment, or issues with the eruption of other adult teeth.

Impacted Supernumerary Teeth

Impacted supernumerary teeth are classified as extra teeth that do not fully erupt into the mouth. These teeth are located either partially or fully underneath the gums or jawbone. Mesiodents, paramolars, and distomolars are commonly impacted. Their presence is confirmed with diagnostic dental X-rays. Impacted supernumerary teeth can lead to complications like crowding, cysts, and abnormal eruption of adult teeth.

Type of Extra Tooth vs. Location vs. Common Issues

What Causes Hyperdontia?

Hyperdontia causes can be multi-factorial. The most common factors influencing hyperdontia are genetic and developmental. It is important to note that hyperdontia is not caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Good oral hygiene, however, is critical to prevent serious issues that can affect extra teeth and overall oral health. Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes of extra teeth:

Genetic Factors

Genetic supernumerary teeth are common, often being present in other family members. Hyperdontia tends to be inherited or may be linked to gene mutations.

Developmental Conditions

Developmental conditions like cleidocranial dysplasia, cleft lip or palate, and other syndromes affecting the skull and facial bones are linked to hyperdontia. These conditions are also typically influenced by genetics.

Abnormal Tooth Development

Tooth development relies on the dental lamina, which is the tissue that helps stimulate tooth growth. Research suggests that excess activity of the dental lamina may be linked to hyperdontia.

Common Symptoms And Signs Of Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia symptoms and signs can vary depending on the location of the extra tooth and whether it has erupted or is impacted underneath the gums or jawbone. In some cases, individuals with hyperdontia are not aware of any symptoms or the condition until diagnosed by their dentist during routine dental check-ups.

Common symptoms and signs of hyperdontia include:

• Visible extra teeth
• Jaw or tooth pain
• Tender or swollen gums
• Tooth crowding
• Tooth/bite misalignment
• Delayed or blocked tooth eruption (tooth impaction)
• Infection
• Food impaction
• Difficulty chewing or speaking

How Hyperdontia Affects Oral Health?

The effects of hyperdontia go beyond cosmetics, impacting overall oral health and function. Common extra teeth oral health issues include teeth crowding, tooth and bite misalignment, and higher risks of cavities and gum disease, as it is harder to remove dental plaque and bacteria. Long-term, hyperdontia can cause severe discomfort, significant damage to permanent teeth, delayed tooth eruption, tooth impaction, cysts, chewing and speech difficulties, and interference with orthodontic treatment. Individuals with hyperdontia often have increased orthodontic treatment times to correct tooth and bite alignment due to case complexity.

How Dentists Diagnose Hyperdontia?

A hyperdontia diagnosis is made by a dental professional after a clinical examination. Through advanced technology, including a dental X-ray, extra teeth can be confirmed. It is important to have children evaluated for early diagnosis to prevent long-term complications and allow for normal tooth eruption. The earlier hyperdontia is diagnosed, the less likely you are to need more complex, invasive, and costly dental procedures in the future. When accurately diagnosed, your dentist can create a personalized treatment plan to improve smile function and appearance.

Treatment Options For Hyperdontia

Hyperdontia treatment is very individualized based on a variety of factors, such as age, tooth location, symptoms, and whether the extra tooth has erupted. Treatment often requires multiple dental specialists, including pediatric dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons. Continue reading to learn more about the common treatment options for hyperdontia:

Monitoring And Observation

In some cases, monitoring of extra teeth may be recommended. This is often a suggested treatment when the extra teeth are asymptomatic and not causing any serious complications. Your dentist will monitor them through regular dental check-ups and routine X-rays.

Tooth Extraction

Although extra tooth removal is not required for all individuals, it is a common treatment recommendation for others. Tooth extraction may be treatment planned if they are causing pain, crowding, alignment issues, tooth impaction, tooth decay, infection, damage to permanent teeth, or other issues. Extraction may also be recommended as a preventative measure if future complications are predicted.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic hyperdontia treatment is common. Orthodontics, including braces or clear aligners, is often used after extra teeth are extracted to manage bite, alignment, and spacing issues caused by the extra teeth.

Surgical Removal Of Impacted Teeth

Patients are often referred to an oral surgeon to evaluate unerupted or problematic supernumerary teeth. Extra teeth that are impacted, or stuck underneath the gums or jawbone, typically lead to problems with permanent tooth eruption and may be recommended to be surgically removed.

Hyperdontia In Children Vs Adults

Early detection of hyperdontia in children is essential to prevent serious future consequences such as tooth impaction, overcrowding, damage to nearby teeth, abnormal eruption of teeth, difficulty chewing, and speech issues. Children should be evaluated by an orthodontist, ideally at age 7, to ensure proper tooth development.

Adult hyperdontia treatment may involve monitoring extra teeth through routine dental X-rays during check-up visits. Alternatively, extraction of extra teeth may be recommended based on existing signs and symptoms or as a preventative measure. Another consideration includes orthodontic treatment to resolve overcrowding or misalignment caused by hyperdontia.

Can Hyperdontia Be Prevented?

Congenital extra teeth are an unpreventable condition, typically influenced by genetic factors and developmental conditions. Hyperdontia is usually inherited and can be linked to certain medical conditions and syndromes, including cleft lip and palate, Down syndrome, Gardner syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and cleidocranial dysplasia. Although you cannot prevent hyperdontia, you can prevent complications caused by hyperdontia by maintaining regular dental check-ups for early detection. Your dentist will determine if immediate treatment or monitoring with routine dental X-rays is necessary.

When To See A Dentist For Extra Teeth?

It can be tricky to know when to see a dentist for extra teeth, as symptoms and signs may be subtle or not noticeable for some individuals. Luckily, your dentist can diagnose hyperdontia during routine dental visits, which are commonly seen through dental X-rays if not clinically present within the mouth. An orthodontic evaluation at age 7 is also recommended to detect extra teeth as early as possible before they cause permanent oral health issues.

Clear signs to watch out for that indicate promptly seeing a hyperdontia dentist include:

• Visible extra tooth
• Delayed permanent tooth eruption
• Large tooth gaps (diastemas)
• Bite/teeth misalignment
• Severe teeth crowding
• Chronic tooth pain or swelling
• Jaw asymmetry
• Difficulty with chewing or speaking

How Gentle Dental Can Help Treat Hyperdontia?

Suspect you have extra teeth? Act early and contact Gentle Dental for an extra teeth dentist you can count on. Gentle Dental hyperdontia treatment combines advanced diagnostic technology with experienced dentists in multiple specialties, including pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery, all under one roof. Treatment is comfortable, customized, and family-centered, providing you with a lasting, healthy smile. Schedule a consultation today at Gentle Dental for expert hyperdontia care.