Close-up of a child's lower jaw showing extra teeth (hyperdontia) growing beside milk teeth. A dental condition where additional teeth develop, potentially requiring orthodontic treatment.

What Is Hyperdontia? (Extra Teeth) Types, Symptoms, & Treatment

ByDr. Olga Dolghier

Hyperdontia, pronounced as high-per-DON-shee-uh, is the occurrence of extra teeth in the mouth other than standard teeth. The condition is commonly known as supernumerary teeth. The excess teeth in the mouth can appear in both adults and children.

In the case of adults, hyperdontia occurs when there are more than 32 teeth in the mouth. However, in the case of children, more than 20 teeth in the mouth are also characterized as hypodontia. 

The extra teeth can be present in any region in the dental arch. Some people may have a single or more extra teeth that can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In some cases, these extra teeth can be harmless, but in some cases, they can affect the eruption of normal teeth in the region.

What is Hyperdontia?

Evano Mellone holds the world record for most teeth (41) in a person’s mouth!

As said earlier, some people may have more than 32 teeth developing the condition hyperdontia. These teeth can grow at different positions in the mouth. These may be on one or both sides of the jaw and vary in shape and size. 

Normally, the number of teeth in adults is 32, which includes eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars (including four wisdom teeth). However, not everyone has them all, especially wisdom teeth, which need removal because of their impact on surrounding teeth. 

Just like hyperdontia, some people may experience a contrasting teeth condition known as hypodontia. Unlike hyperdontia, people who suffer from hypodontia have less than normal teeth. Both of these conditions have an impact on dental health and can have complications. 

Types of Hyperdontia

Based on the location, shape, number, and impact of supernumerary teeth, hyperdontia can be classified into the following:

1- Location-Based Classification

Depending on the position of these extra teeth, it can be of the following types:

  • Mesiodens – This is the most common type of hyperdontia that appears between upper central incisors. 
  • Paramolar – These extra teeth appear in the molar region, usually between the second and third molars. 
  • Distomolar – When extra teeth appear behind the third molar/ wisdom tooth, it’s called distomolar. 
  • Peridens – In some cases, the extra teeth can appear outside the dental arch on the sides. These peridens can be lingual (towards the tongue) or buccal (towards the cheek). 

2- Morphology (Shape) Based Classification

Hyperdontia can have several different types based on the shape of supernumerary teeth. These include:

  • Supplementary – Extra teeth similar to normal teeth or molars are called supplementary hyperdontia.
  • Conical – These teeth are peg-shaped, small-sized teeth that often appear in the anterior region.
  • Tuberculate – The barrel-shaped extra teeth with multiple cusps that often appear in the molar region are called tuberculate hypodontia.
  • Radicular: These extra teeth have well-defined root tissue and often lack a visible crown. 
  • Hemi Symmetrical – In a hemi symmetrical supernumerary, extra teeth have a partially developed structure. 
  • Odontomas – These are not actual teeth but tooth-like masses that appear in the region.

3- Number-Based Classification

The hyperdontia can also be classified into the following on the basis of the number of extra teeth present:

  • Unilateral – It occurs when the extra teeth appear on one side of the jaw. 
  • Bilateral – In the case of a bilateral one, extra teeth appear on both sides of the jaw.
  • Multiple – Multiple supernumerary occurs when multiple teeth appear in the mouth.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause behind the condition is still known, but the following are some possible explanations for the phenomenon:

1- Genetic Factors

The condition runs in the family, and you are also likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has it. Gender also determines your chances of suffering from the condition. Males are more prone to getting it and have double the chances of developing it compared to females.

2- Atavism

Another possible explanation behind this phenomenon is atavism. It explains that extra teeth are a reappearance of past traits, believing that our ancestors probably had them in their early ages. 

3- Health Conditions

Hyperdontia is also linked with several heredity conditions such as Gardner’s syndrome, cleidocranial dysplasia, Fabry disease, congenital disabilities such as cleft palate, etc. 

Symptoms and Complications 

The common symptoms of the condition are: 

I- Tooth Appearance 

Hyperdontia’s most common symptom is the appearance of an extra tooth. 

II- Crowding

If the extra teeth are visible on the outside, it can result in the crowding of teeth.

III- Misalignment 

The eruption of extra teeth can sometimes interfere with the regular alignment of the teeth, resulting in alignment troubles such as cross-bite, overbite, underbite, etc. 

IV- Infections/ Cysts

Sometimes, an extra tooth can cause an infection or result in cyst formation. Common symptoms, in this case, are pain, swelling, or tenderness.

Read more about these common dental ailments at the Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics blog.

Diagnosis

The presence of extra teeth in the mouth is the clear-cut diagnosis of the condition. However, if the tooth hasn’t fully erupted, dental X-rays and CT scans can be of great help.

Treatment

The treatment for hyperdontia depends on the problems caused by the condition. The most common treatment options are:

  • No Treatment – In most cases, these extra teeth are harmless and need no treatment.
  • Braces – If it’s causing teeth alignment troubles, then braces can be used to fix it.
  • Removal – If the extra tooth is causing serious oral health concerns, then the doctor may consider removing it. 

Wrapping It Up!

Hyperdontia is a condition usually characterized by the appearance of one or more extra teeth in the mouth. These teeth can appear at any position and may vary in shape and size. The root cause behind the problem is not confirmed, but several genetic factors have been linked to it. 

The diagnosis of the condition includes physical examination, x-rays, and CT scans. These extra teeth don’t necessarily require treatment. However, in some cases, braces or other orthodontic treatments can help to manage the complications.

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