Have you ever noticed any extra teeth growing in your mouth? You may have felt pressure and crowding in your jaw when a tooth starts to erupt or you may have felt the top of a new tooth with your tongue. I’m sure you may have wondered if anyone can have more than 32 teeth. Yes, it’s possible! Let’s see how and why!
What is Hyperdontia?
Up to 3.8% of the population have one or more supernumerary teeth. This condition is called hyperdontia, in which an adult grows new teeth. Although hyperdontia can affect anybody, it usually runs in families and is linked to certain genetic disorders. In children, hyperdontia could go unnoticed because extra baby teeth look quite normal.
Types of Supernumerary Teeth
Extra teeth are identified by dentist according to their location in your mouth:
Mesiodens: The most prevalent form of extra teeth is mesiodens. They develop just in front of your top front teeth.
Distmolars: Your distmolars erupt behind the remaining teeth in accordance with their eruption.
Paramolars: Paramolars are extra teeth growing next to your molars (toward your tongue and cheek.)
What Causes Hyperdontia?
The exact cause of Hyperdontia is still not known, but it seems associated with several hereditary conditions, including:
Gardner’s Syndrome
It is a rare genetic disorder that is characterized by the growth of cysts on a patient’s skin, and other growth on the skin and colon.
Cleidocranial Dysplasia
This disorder causes abnormal development of bones in the collar and skill region.
Fabry Disease
This disease affects different organs, including the skin, brain, neurological system, and teeth.
Cleft Palate and Lip
When a baby’s lip or mouth does not grow properly in the uterus, congenital abnormalities like these arise.
Nance-Horan Syndrome
This results in congenital cataracts, which impair eyesight, in addition to dental problems.
Problems With Extra Teeth
Extra teeth don’t usually hurt. However, they could appear strange and erupt in unusual situations. Below are the common problems people face with extra teeth:
- Stop your natural teeth from erupting.
- Hard your other teeth’s roots.
- Move the other teeth out of place.
- Make your teeth crowded.
How is Hyperdontia Treated?
Not everyone needs treatment for hyperdontia. Your dentist may advise tooth extraction if:
- You have an underlying genetic condition that may be causing the extra teeth to appear.
- You can’t chew properly or your extra teeth cut your mouth when you chew.
- You feel pain or discomfort from overcrowding.
- You find it difficult to brush or floss your teeth properly, which may result in decay or gum disease.
- You feel self-conscious about the way your extra teeth look.
Final Say!
The condition of extra teeth growing in your mouth is called hyperdontia. Hyperdontia may be associated with genetic disorders, such as Gardner’s syndrome, Fabry disease, or nance-Horan syndrome.
If you have an extra tooth in your mouth and you wish to get it extracted, visit Signature Smile. You can book your appointment by calling (214) 307-4715 (Irving), (214) 307-4755 (Plano), or (469) 643-4155 (DeSoto).
