Craniofacial size in individuals with supernumerary teeth: A multicenter geometric morphometric study.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Human Anatomy

Background:

• Tooth agenesis is linked to smaller craniofacial size.
• The craniofacial effects of supernumerary teeth are not well understood.
• This study investigates the association between supernumerary teeth and craniofacial size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if supernumerary teeth number and location affect craniofacial size in non-syndromic individuals.
• To explore sex-based differences in these associations.
• To compare these effects with those of tooth agenesis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of over 10,000 orthodontic records from Switzerland and Greece.
• Comparison of 200 individuals with supernumerary teeth to 200 matched controls.
• Craniofacial morphology assessed using 117 landmarks on lateral cephalograms; size measured by ln[CS].
• Multiple linear regression models used to analyze associations.

Main Results:

• Age and sex significantly predict craniofacial size (larger in males and older individuals).
• A small positive association between supernumerary tooth number and maxillary size was observed in severe cases (>2 teeth).
• Mandibular supernumerary teeth were associated with larger mandibular and maxillary dimensions, particularly in males.
• Maxillary supernumerary teeth showed no significant craniofacial size differences.

Conclusions:

• Supernumerary teeth have limited, region-specific effects on craniofacial size.
• Mandibular supernumeraries, though rare, are linked to modest jaw enlargement, especially in males.
• These findings highlight the distinct developmental impacts of different tooth number anomalies compared to tooth agenesis.