Supernumerary Teeth

Abstract

Supernumerary teeth may develop in any dental area but are most commonly found in the upper incisor region; an extra tooth developing in the midline is designated a “mesiodens.” All supernumerary teeth with the possible exception of some supplemental primary teeth should be extracted early because they usually produce malocclusion or dental pathosis or both. Supernumerary teeth can cause malocclusion whether they erupt or are unerupted. They account for the production of diastemata (especially at the maxillary midline), the axial malrelationship or rotation of adjoining teeth, their displacement mesiodistally or labiolingually and their impaction. When unerupted, supernumerary teeth may produce root resorption and pulpal damage of the contiguous teeth; they may undergo cystic degeneration. Because supernumerary teeth may cause these undesirable conditions, their early detection and prompt extraction is necessary in the practice of preventive dentistry and interceptive orthodontics.