Some people have more teeth than the expected 20 deciduous and 32 permanent teeth, this might be a condition called hyperdontia. Dental experts say that this is an illness that causes too many teeth to grow in one’s mouth. These extra teeth are sometimes referred to as supernumerary teeth. They are known to grow around the curved areas where teeth connect to one’s jaw. Children usually have 20 teeth, and by adulthood the normal number of teeth is 32. According to Healthline, hyperdontia usually isn’t painful. However, sometimes the extra teeth can put pressure on the jaw and gums, making them swollen and painful. Overcrowding caused by hyperdontia can also make one’s permanent teeth look crooked. Dr Gilbert Nuwagaba, an adult and paediatric dental specialist, says that extra teeth are categorised into four groups. There is supplementary; the teeth that are normal in both shape and size. Tuberculate; which are more container-shaped. Conical; these are sharp. And lastly are the compound and complex odontoma, which are mass of tooth-like tissue. He says that if the extra teeth are more than one, the condition can result in pain, problems with chewing and eating, or difficulty brushing and flossing, which could lead to cavities and gum disease and aesthetic issues, if the extra teeth are noticeable. Dr Roger Anamali, a dental surgeon in Kigali, notes that the origin of hyperdontia is essentially hereditary or environmental. He explains the causes of extra teeth can be the genetic factors, which means that in the same family, hyperdontia can be transmitted from generation to generation. Environment factors such as exposure to radiation, for example, constitute an external cause that was exerted at the time of birth or during growth. This may be an origin of this anomaly in the number of dental germs, Dr Anamali says. Dr Nuwagaba says that extra teeth can lead to oral health concerns, such as crowded and displaced teeth leading to an impediment of someone’s primary teeth from coming in properly. He also notes that the pressure can build in one’s teeth when a tooth doesn’t come in straight, leading to impactions. “Growing extra teeth can also trigger facial deformities and speech impediments in critical cases,” Dr Nuwagaba states. Dr Anamali adds that the signs of hyperdontia are visible, clinically and radiographically. Impacted supernumerary teeth are particularly detectable on the x-ray. According to him, in order to avoid all these problems, it is advisable to consult a dentist fairly regularly. An annual X-ray can detect the emergency of one or more supernumerary teeth in time. The most recommended treatment for these extra teeth is extraction. After exodontia, the accompaniment by an orthodontist is fundamental. Dr Anamali also says that some of the complications are orthodontic problems such as dental crowding or malposition, delays in the eruption of normal teeth located near supernumerary teeth, displacement of other teeth, and the appearance of cysts on impacted supernumerary teeth. Dr Anamali urges to see a dentist as soon as possible for appropriate care. According to Healthline, if the extra teeth are starting to affect your dental hygiene or other teeth—like delaying the eruption of permanent teeth—it’s best to remove them as soon as possible. If the extra teeth only cause you mild discomfort, your dentist may recommend taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain. “Many people with hyperdontia don’t need any treatment. Others may need to have some or all of their extra teeth removed to avoid any other problems. Make sure to tell your doctor about any feelings of pain, discomfort, swelling, or weakness in your mouth if you have hyperdontia,” the aforementioned site recommends.
