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Problems of supernumerary teeth, hyperdontia or dentes supernumerarii.
Peter Proff1, Jochen Fanghänel, Sergio Allegrini
1Poliklinik für Kieferorthopädie, Präventive Zahnmedizin und Kinderzahnheilkunde, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Rotgerberstrasse 8, 17487 Greifswald, Germany. proff@uni-greifswald.de
Summary
Supernumerary teeth, or extra teeth, occur alongside normal dental development. Their exact cause remains unknown, but this overview covers their frequency, classification, and clinical presentations.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Supernumerary teeth are defined as any teeth or tooth-like structures beyond the normal count of 20 deciduous or 32 permanent teeth.
- Their presence can lead to various dental complications and aesthetic concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the frequency, distribution, and classification of supernumerary teeth.
- To discuss the current understanding of their etiology and present clinical case examples.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on epidemiological studies concerning supernumerary teeth.
- Analysis of existing data on prevalence and patterns.
- Presentation of four distinct clinical cases illustrating different manifestations.
Main Results:
- Supernumerary teeth exhibit variable frequency and distribution across different populations.
- Several etiological theories exist, though the precise cause is undetermined.
- Clinical presentations range from unerupted to erupted extra teeth.
Conclusions:
- Supernumerary teeth represent a significant variation in human dentition.
- Further research into the etiology is warranted.
- Understanding their classification and presentation aids in clinical diagnosis and management.