Characteristics and prevalence of non-syndrome multiple supernumerary teeth: a retrospective study

The goal of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical findings of non-syndromic multiple (five or more) supernumerary teeth in patients radiographically examined between 1999 and 2004.

Among 9550 patients, 251 cases of supernumerary teeth were found, including six cases of multiple supernumerary teeth. Patients with multiple supernumerary teeth were evaluated for age, sex, unilateral or bilateral distribution of the teeth, localization, morphology and complications or associated pathologies such as dentigerous cysts, eruption anomalies, resorption of adjacent teeth, displacement of tooth germ, malformation, migration, neurological symptoms, and secondary and periapical infections.

All patients were male and most of the multiple supernumerary teeth were seen in the premolar region. The prevalence of multiple supernumerary teeth was 0.06%. Out of 37 multiple supernumerary teeth examined, 30 were impacted. Various associated anomalies were seen in 21.6% of cases. Although the mean age was high (23.1 years), no pathologies such as root resorption on adjacent teeth or cystic formation were observed, in contradiction of previous studies.

In agreement with previous studies, the majority of supernumerary teeth were seen in the lower premolar region. That all patients with multiple supernumerary teeth were male and that most of these teeth were impacted was also in agreement with previous studies. The order of location frequency in previous studies has been premolar-molar-anterior; we found the order to be premolar-anterior with no supernumerary molar teeth observed. It was also interesting that no serious pathological findings were recorded.