An average adult has 32 teeth, but in some cases, an individual may grow one or two more. The excessive expression of this condition is called hyperdontia, and it could cause an individual to grow almost twice as many teeth as normal.
Affecting less than 4% of the population, it more commonly occurs in the permanent set than the primary one, and it usually grows in front of the upper jaw. Most of the time, patients only have one extra tooth, but records show that having more than thirty additional pearly whites is possible.
Unlike tooth decay and loss, your lifestyle choices do not affect your chances of having hyperdontia. Instead, genetic conditions raise the risk of developing the condition.
What Causes Hyperdontia?
The causes of hyperdontia are still unclear. Some experts suspect that the overactivity in the dental lamina, or the zone of cells that are responsible for the formation of teeth, causes the extra teeth to grow. Other researchers found links between the condition and several genetic disorders, including cleidocranial dysplasia, Anderson-Fabry disease, Sturge-Weber syndrome, Gardner syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Apert syndrome, and Down syndrome.
How Do You Care For Extra Teeth?
The extra teeth require extra care because it provides more surface area for bacteria to attack while making the area difficult to clean at the same time. So, more individuals with the condition need to put more effort into their oral care routine. Regular dental appointments are also necessary to monitor the condition.
How Is Hypodontia Treated?
In some cases, dentists do not have to remove extra teeth, especially if they’re among the primary set. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry stated that extra baby teeth usually fall out without complications.
If the extra teeth affect your oral health, however, you should seek professional advice. Dentists will most likely recommend removing them if the supernumerary teeth prevent you from chewing, brushing, or flossing, cause you pain and discomfort, or begin to alter your appearance.
Removal is recommended if it delays the eruption of permanent teeth. This way, you avoid gum disease or misaligned teeth.
Whether your extra teeth disrupt your daily activities, have our dentist in Fredericksburg, VA take a look at them. Our dental professionals will assess the health of your teeth and recommend an effective solution for your case.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.