Hyperdontia is a condition that needs to be treated by a
dentist. It is when people have too many
teeth, or supernumerary teeth, in addition to the teeth they, actually
need. There are cases where an extra
tooth or two appear, and others where an entire extra set of teeth come
in. Both can cause extreme discomfort
and require treatment by your family dentist.
A child is supposed to have twenty primary (baby)
teeth. As those fall out they should be
replaced with thirty-two permanent teeth.
If you end up with additional teeth forming, you should contact your
family dentist and schedule an appointment.
What causes Hyperdontia?
It may be hereditary so if you suffered from it, your
children may, as well. Other studies have found that environmental reasons can
contribute to the formation of supernumerary teeth. In other words, scientist don’t know the
exact cause of hyperdontia. When these
additional teeth develop they are believed to form from the tooth bud either
splitting or a second tooth bud forming near the original one. These cases
occur more often with permanent teeth than with baby teeth, yet it is still
important to look for any additional formations during your dental exam. It is also unlikely for additional molars to
form, though this does happen in rare cases.
How many people
suffer from this?
Approximately four percent of the population will end up
with too many teeth. Most often, it will
be one or two extra teeth that can easily be removed.
What are the risks of
having too many teeth?
Sometimes, the additional teeth won’t break through the gums
but continue to prevent other permanent teeth from coming in. There interference with the development of a
patients normal set of teeth can cause discomfort and an inconvenience as your
teeth are needed for eating and speaking clearly.
How is hyperdontia
treated?
If the extra teeth break through the surface, they can be
pulled. If they are under the surface
and causing other teeth not to break through, they may need to be removed
surgically. Not every case requires
treatment. If the extra tooth is not
interfering with anything or causing any pain, you may elect to leave it in
place.
As a family dentist, we treat patients of all ages and
recommend that children start having dentist checkups a young as one years of
age. This lets us monitor their teeth
and identify any potential problems like hyperdontia. By identifying issues early, we can create a
treatment plan that involves parents and prevents any unnecessary pain or
discomfort.
Those that suffer from any dental abnormalities or
conditions need to make sure that they take the time to properly care for their
teeth. By brushing at least twice a day,
flossing regularly, drinking plenty of water, and having fluoride treatments
you can keep your teeth strong and avoid tooth decay.
Our general dentist office treats patients of all ages and
works to prevent oral health problems through ongoing treatment and patient
education. Contact us today to schedule
your appointment and stay on the path to good oral health