Supernumerary Teeth

2-18. SUPERNUMERARY TEETH

Dental hyperplasia may result in additional enamel organs being formed,

resulting in development of teeth beyond the normal number (32) permanent teeth.

Hyperplasia is defined as an increase in the number of individual tissue elements. This

may also account for supernumerary cusps or roots within the normal complement of

teeth (see figure 2-16). The vast majority of supernumerary teeth occur in the maxilla,

with the most common being a mesiodens (a tooth located between the permanent

maxillary central incisors) (see figure 2-17).

NOTE:

This radiograph reveals a developing supernumerary (third) premolar.

Figure 2-16. Supernumerary teeth, premolar.

NOTE:

A mesiodens is in evidence between the two normal central incisors. Note its

conical shape. Malposition of teeth and generalized gingivitis are other

features of this example.

Figure 2-17. Supernumerary teeth, mesiodens.

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