Supernumerary Teeth

Supernumerary teeth or Hyperdontia is the condition of having teeth that appear in addition to the regular number of teeth. They can appear in any area of the dental arch and can affect any dental organ. Depending upon the position of the tooth, supernumerary teeth can be classified as: Mesiodens (most common), Paramolars or Distomolars (rare). Supernumerary teeth do not cause any harm, but they may delay eruption of nearby teeth or cause other dental or orthodontic problems. Dental X-rays are often used to diagnose hyperdontia. Extraction of such teeth is a mode of treatment if they are unslighty to the patient. If not, they can be retained in the mouth but oral hygiene must be meticulously maintained.