How To Deal With Hyperdontia in Your Kid

Several factors come into play that affects or determines oral health in a human. There are some components that we can name as “predisposing,” and some others might have to do with our habits.

Among the predisposing factors, we find “genetics,” which is the hereditary influence from our parents and the parents of our parents or DNA that determine who we are.

On the other hand, the importance of having a good oral hygiene routine derives from countering the malicious effects of factors patients cannot control, like teeth alignment or the inherited “propensity” of getting dental cavities.

For instance, even considering water fluoridation in the U.S., numerous kids develop cavities despite parental follow-up and hygiene routine guidance. In some cases, this has to do with the chemical composition of their “saliva” or “enamel.”

Cases in which hereditary factors negatively impact a patient’s oral health abound despite their many efforts to keep their teeth healthy. For instance, teeth with large crevices or grooves or a genetic predisposition to gum disease contribute to tooth decay.

Furthermore, some patients might also inherit a medical condition named “hyperdontia,” which is the predisposition to have more teeth than the typical number of teeth. This article addresses several subtopics related to this rare condition and how to treat it, especially in kids.

What Is Hyperdontia?

We have twenty teeth during childhood and youth years and thirty-two in adulthood. However, in some odd cases, patients might grow additional teeth, which is a condition named “hyper,” which means many or more than regular, and “dontia,” referring to teeth as “hyperdontia.” Dentists might also refer to supernumerary teeth.

These teeth develop in any part of the dental arches and mouth, and specialists identify them according to the space where they are.

The prevalence of hyperdontia has higher rate in permanent teeth than in baby teeth, meaning they presuppose a significant challenge in male adults having this condition that can reach up to 3.8%.

As we previously stated, hyperdontia might develop from genetic factors that could also be associated with genetic disorders and syndromes. Still, research does not conclude there are environmental factors affecting patients.

Causes for Hyperdontia

Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Refers to an anomalous forming of bone tissue that occurs in the skull and collar area.

Cleft Lip and Palate

Fabry Disease

The human body could develop diseases when there is a lack of hormones and enzymes. In this rare case, it occurs from an insufficiency in the production of the alpha-galactosidase A enzyme that could alter the teeth and other body parts, including the nervous system.

Gardner’s Syndrome

Although it is a rare irregularity that produces benign formations in several areas, it might also cause colon cancer.

Ellis Van Creveld Syndrome

As many of the issues mentioned above, it classifies as a rare irregularity that could involve short parts of the body, dwarfism. Still, it also could develop additional fingers and teeth.

Nance-Horan Syndrome

This is a syndrome that produces congenital cataracts and teeth-related malformations.

Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome

The syndrome opens various areas of concern. Teeth outgrowth and hyperdontia are part of many problems, including facial malformations, low growth rates, and organ problems in the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome

In many cases, we’ve described malformations that are recurring in parts of the body, and in this case, it shows malformations in the bone, teeth, face, skin, and hair.

Numerous syndromes could cause hyperdontia, and having supernumerary teeth might as well help doctors initiate trials to find diagnostics.

How To Treat Hyperdontia?

In some circumstances having extra teeth doesn’t necessarily require clinical treatment. However, some cases have certain characteristics that require teeth surgical extractions, as we explain next:

Genetics

Hereditary factors conduce the extra teeth to come out.

Chewing

It might occur that trying to bite or chew with extra teeth could lead to mouth lacerations.

Pain

Overcrowding could cause teeth and gums to ache

Hygiene

Extra teeth might make proper hygiene a challenging task, and even if trying to do the best to clear all dirt, extra teeth might get in the way and be necessary to extract them to avoid tooth decay or periodontal disease.

Discreteness

A smile is an essential component of our social life and projection. Patients might feel embarrassed, and getting rid of them, along with orthodontic treatment, could improve their self-esteem.

Delayed Interference

It might affect the normal development and growth of permanent nearby teeth.

Some cases do not necessarily depend upon extractions. For instance, a specialist might prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain.

What Happens if I Leave Hyperdontia Untreated?

Hyperdontia is the cause of associated problems that, if left untreated, might have pervasive and negative consequences on the patient’s quality of life.

Crowding

Teeth crowding concerns self-consciousness, speaking issues, tooth decay, and gum disease derived from poor hygiene.

Adjacent Teeth Eruption Failure

Depending on the case, instead of producing crowding, hyperdontia might cause teeth under the gums to fail to erupt.

Tumour Development

Teeth displacement could lead to developing tumors.

Can Hyperdontia Hurt My Kid?

Yes, hyperdontia could affect your kid, but as previously noted, it might have a higher impact on an adult. In children, a specialist could identify a problem early to start treatment, which might help obtain a permanent solution, depending on the case. However, hyperdontia might hurt a kid, and we explain the problems:

• restrain or unwanted movement of permanent teeth eruption;
• reaching permanent teeth fusing with it;
• pustules, caries, and infections due to difficulties reaching entrenched spaces in teeth;
• adjacent teeth roots resorption;
• development of cysts;
• face deformations;
• trouble in speech and;
• feeding issues.

Spot, Diagnose, and Treat

At Parkway Pediatric Dentistry in Roanoke, VA, we conduct the procedural aspects related to spotting, diagnosing, and treating hyperdontia in kids. Schedule a diagnosis visit or visit us for a routine check-up that helps identify any potential case.