Pre-maxillary hypo-hyperdontia: report of a rare case

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Genetics

Background:

• Hypodontia, the congenital absence of teeth, is relatively common, with agenesis of maxillary canines being particularly rare.
• Hyperdontia, characterized by supernumerary teeth, is also observed, with mesiodens being the most frequent type.
• The simultaneous occurrence of hypodontia and hyperdontia (hypo-hyperdontia) in a single individual represents an extremely rare mixed numeric variation of tooth development.

Observation:

• This case report presents an exceptionally rare instance of hypo-hyperdontia.
• The patient exhibited agenesis of both maxillary canines, a form of hypodontia.
• The patient also presented with a mesiodens, a supernumerary tooth, and taurodontism, an enlargement of the pulp chamber.

Findings:

• The study documents a rare case of mixed numeric tooth variation, combining hypodontia and hyperdontia.
• Specifically, it highlights the concomitant presence of bilateral maxillary canine agenesis and a mesiodens.
• The findings also include the association of taurodontism with this rare condition.

Implications:

• This case underscores the complex and varied presentations of dental anomalies.
• Understanding such rare conditions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment planning in dentistry.
• Further research into the genetic and developmental factors underlying hypo-hyperdontia may provide insights into tooth formation processes.