Supernumerary Teeth: Review of the Literature with Recent Updates

Abstract

A supernumerary tooth (ST) is defined as any tooth or odontogenic structure that is formed from tooth germ in excess of usual number for any given region of the dental arch. They may be single or multiple and unilateral or bilateral in distribution and can occur in any region of the dental arch. These may occur in primary and permanent dentition. Supernumerary teeth are more frequent in males. They are classified based on form, morphology, location, and occurrence. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the occurrence of ST. However, combination of environmental and genetic factors has been proposed. Supernumerary teeth cause a range of complications like crowding, displacement, dilacerations, cyst formation, and so forth. Early identification and appropriate treatment plan should minimize the potential complications caused by ST.

A comprehensive review of the literature and data analysis on hypo-hyperdontia

“…It has been suggested that hypodontia and hyperdontia represent opposite ends of the developmental scale for dentition (31). Hypodontia is commonly seen in female individuals, whereas hyperdontia is frequently reported in males (50). It has been reported that when these two numeric variants occur in the same individual, no differences are evident between the genders (5).…”

Distomolars: An overview and 3 case reports

“…However, the most accepted theory is the dental lamina hyperactivity theory which suggests that they are formed as a result of local, independent, conditioned hyperactivity of the dental lamina. However, the role of complex interactions among a variety of environmental and genetic factors has been postulated [2,12].…”

“…A panoramic radiograph is the most useful screening radiograph for these cases, as it shows all areas of the maxilla and mandible. New imaging techniques such as CBCT enables us to accurately evaluate the intraosseous location, inclination, and morphology of impacted supernumerary teeth [2].…”

“…If distomolars are impacted they may cause complications such as impaction, root resorption or pulp necrosis of the adjacent tooth, pain in the molar area, infection, formation of diastema, follicular cyst, neoplasms, and neuralgias of the trigeminal nerve. In case they erupt they may cause malocclusion, retention or ectopic eruption, delayed eruption of the adjacent teeth, mandibular disorders, periodontal disease and caries [2,3,13].…”

“…According to their locations, supernumeraries may be categorized into four types: Mesiodens, paramolar, distomolar, and parapremolar and into two types according to their morphology (form) rudimentary and supplemental. Rudimentary teeth (dysmorphic) defines teeth of abnormal shape and smaller size; including conical, tuberculate, and molariform types while supplemental teeth (eumorphic) are of normal shape and size resembling a particular tooth from the normal dentition [1,2].…”