SUPERNUMERARY TEETH - AN UNPRETENTIOUS MISCREANT

Abstract

Supernumerary teeth are those that are formed in excess of the normal dental formula. It is a developmental anomaly that arises due to multiple etiologies. These teeth may remain embedded in the alveolar bone or can erupt into the oral cavity. Supernumerary teeth may cause functional or aesthetic problems. Complications that are usually reported are delayed eruption of succedaneous teeth, displacement or rotation, crowding of the affected region, abnormal diastema, dilacerations, cystic formation and sometimes eruption into the nasal cavity. This study was performed to showcase different treatment modalities of supernumerary teeth by using different case scenarios. Patients from the outpatient department of a private dental college were screened for the presence of supernumerary teeth. A set of 10 cases reported with supernumerary teeth were chosen and discussed. Awareness of different treatment modalities of supernumerary teeth is less among dental practitioners. Clinicians should be aware of early identification, proper management of supernumerary teeth and associated complications of the same. The treatment modalities discussed in this study include surgical extractions, esthetic management and orthodontic treatment of the supernumerary teeth. This article reports a case series of patients with supernumerary teeth discussing its etiology, frequency, classification, diagnosis and management.