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Hyperdontia: What Causes It and How Is It Treated?

Unless you have suffered premature tooth loss, you should have 32 teeth by the time you reach adulthood. While missing teeth are a common oral health issue, you can also suffer from supernumerary or extra teeth. Known as hyperdontia, this condition affects patients of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. At Astoria Dental Group in Queens, NY, we can perform a tooth extraction to create space in your jaw if extra teeth are causing oral health issues. If your remaining teeth are crowded or cluttered as a result of your hyperdontia, Drs. Clifford Degel and Carmel Every-Degel can also provide Invisalign® treatment to help you achieve a straighter smile

Who Is at Risk? 

Although hyperdontia affects patients of all demographics, it is most common among: 

  • Patients with Ehler-Danlos syndrome or Gardner syndrome 
  • Children with Down syndrome
  • Patients born with cleft lip or palate 
  • Those of Chinese or South-American descent 
  • Males 

The direct cause of hyperdontia is still unknown. However, many dental experts believe that your genetics are a large contributing factor. Many patients with hyperdontia also have chromosomal disorder syndromes. 

Do You Have Hyperdontia? 

In general, you should have no more than 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth. Any additional teeth are considered supernumerary. 

There are documented cases of extreme hyperdontia in which patients have had 20 or more extra teeth. However, most cases of hyperdontia are very mild and typically involve one or two extra teeth. Oftentimes, these extra teeth do not erupt and can only be seen with dental office technology such as x-rays. Because one or two extra teeth often go unnoticed, many patients do not realize they have hyperdontia until they visit our practice for a check-up or to address other concerns such as misalignment or overcrowded teeth. If one of our doctors diagnoses you with hyperdontia during your exam, he or she will also recommend the most appropriate treatment option. 

Patients who are suffering from these side effects of hyperdontia have treatment options. The most common treatments are surgical tooth extraction and orthodontic treatment.

Simple, Effective Treatment 

If your extra teeth are not causing any oral health issues, our doctors may recommend not undergoing any treatment. In some cases, however, supernumerary teeth can cause oral health concerns such as: 

  • Crowding and other forms of malocclusion 
  • Impacted teeth
  • Preventing surrounding teeth from properly erupting 
  • Fusing with surrounding teeth 
  • Increase your risk of cavities, infections, and gum disease 
  • The formation of cysts or tumors 

Patients who are suffering from these side effects of hyperdontia have treatment options. The most common are surgical tooth extraction and orthodontic treatment. Both of these treatments can be provided at our office. We offer sedation dentistry to make an extraction as comfortable as possible, and Dr. Every-Degel is a top Invisalign provider who can design a treatment plan that will help you achieve a straighter smile in 12 to 18 months. After undergoing treatment for hyperdontia, others may never notice that you ever had the disorder. 

Get Professionally Diagnosed 

Because hyperdontia often goes unnoticed by many patients, it is important to schedule a regular dental exam to address oral health concerns before the onset of serious issues. To schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, call our office at (718) 557-9366 or send us an online message

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