Hyperdontia is a dental condition which refers to an excessive number of teeth growth. A normal number of teeth is 32 in total. Anything that exceeds this number is categorized as ‘Hyperdontia’.
The excess teeth are also called supernumerary teeth. These extra teeth can grow around the dental arches, which are curved structures where the teeth attach to the jaw.
Baby teeth are called primary teeth which are replaced by permanent teeth. People can have both extra primary or permanent teeth but this condition is more common in primary teeth.
Symptoms of Hyperdontia
The main symptom of this dental condition is extra grown teeth directly behind or close to permanent or primary teeth.
However, this dental issue does not have any direct symptom except overcrowding but can be a root cause to other issues discussed below.
Excessive teeth, as mentioned earlier can cause overcrowding which can lead to malocclusion and misalignment of existing teeth.
Hyperdontia can also cause difficulty in biting or chewing resulting in pain and discomfort.
Severe crowding and misalignment can also affect speech by altering the position of the tongue during speaking.
It can make regular oral hygiene and cleaning more challenging due to misaligned teeth, making the teeth prone to other dental issues like cavities and gum diseases.
To many, this can be a cosmetic issue that may affect self-confidence.
Causes of Hyperdontia
While there no identifiable causes for hyperdontia, it is associated with a few genetic conditions that are mentioned and briefly explained below:
- Gardner’s Syndrome – A rare genetic disorder that causes skin cysts, colon and skull growth.
- Cleidocranial dysplasia – A condition that causes abnormal development of the skull and collarbone.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – This disorder causes loose joints, scoliosis and poor muscle integrity.
- Cleft Palate and lip – This is characterised as a birth defect that results in opening of the roof to the mouth, or upper lip.
For proper diagnosis, dental treatments are available. But if this is due to a genetic disorder, the patient might want to treat underlying conditions.
Treatment Options
Some people don’t choose to treat mild hyperdontia symptoms like small or few extra teeth. Depending on the severity, there are multiple dental treatments that address this issue. Some of them are listed below
- Orthodontic appliances like braces
- Tooth extraction
- Dental veneer and crowns
Conclusive Remarks:
Hyperdontia is another name for excessive teeth. While hyperdontia can vary in terms of symptoms and severity, it is important to note that this condition needs personalised dental attention.
If you suspect signs of hyperdontia in the form of new teeth sprouts, pain or swelling, reach out to doctors at Pearland Family Dentistry or you can call us at (832) 649-7344 for appointment scheduling. We are located at 11508 Pearland Pkwy Suite 600, Houston, TX 77089.