Polyodontia - an anomaly of development, the number of teeth in excess of the norm. As a rule, an adult should have 28 teeth plus 4 wisdom teeth. Moreover, the absence of the latter is not considered a deviation from the norm. However, in some cases, a larger number of teeth is observed in the oral cavity of a person. This, according to dentists, is already an anomaly and has a diagnosis. So, let's consider what this disease is, what causes affect its development? how people treat polyodontics. Let's start in order.
What it is
The medical term "polyodontics" is of Greek origin. Translated into Russian, the word "odontos" means "tooth", and the prefix "poly" indicates a superior plural. Thus, it turns out that polyodontics is an excessive number of teeth. This anomaly also has other names - hyperodentia, supradentia, supernumerary teeth, or polydental.
The problem is divided into several types. Differentiation of the disease depends on its symptoms. Of particular importance is the location of supernumerary teeth. Depending on this, polyodontics in humans is divided into typical (atavistic) and atypical.
Atavistic form
We inherited a typical (atavistic) polyodontics from our ancestors. Ancient people had a more powerful chewing apparatus, and the number of teeth significantly exceeded the norm indicated by dentists. In some cases, the genes of the ancestors are also awakened in modern man, which is manifested by multi-dentition. However, to make this diagnosis it is not necessary that the number of teeth be too large. Polyodontia in a person is diagnosed, even if one tooth is found in excess in the oral cavity.
Atypical polyodontics
Atypical polyodontics in humans has its own characteristics. This type is characterized by the location of extra teeth outside the dentition, that is, the teeth erupt outside the alveolar holes. Moreover, in some cases, hyperodentia does not even appear in the oral cavity.
True polyodontics
Polyodontics in humans can vary in origin. Then it is divided into true and false.
True polyodontics in humans fully reflects the essence of the problem. Its development is associated with a genetic predisposition and teragenic factors. For this condition, the formation and subsequent development of extra rudiments of molars is necessary.
Pseudopolyodontics
False polyodontics in people is diagnosed if the milk tooth does not fall out, and it remains to perform the functions of the molar tooth. In medical practice, there are cases when a milk tooth was found in a person older than 50 years. In addition, false polyodontia is diagnosed by fusion of adjacent teeth or other deviations in the development of the dentition.
Polyodontics in humans: causes
This anomaly is considered a congenital malformation. According to statistics, more than a third of cases are associated with a genetic predisposition. The dentofacial system begins to form in the embryo in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Various kinds of failures leading to developmental disabilities occur when many aggressive factors are affected. These include: poor ecology, viral diseases transferred during pregnancy, the future mother's intake of alcohol, narcotic or illegal drugs.
In principle, to date, scientists cannot give an exact answer to the question of the development of polyodontics; all studies in this field of medicine are under consideration. To study the problem more fully, scientists will need the introduction of the latest technology, a comprehensive study of the anomaly, and, of course, time.
What is dangerous polyodontics
Many people are wondering if polyodontics are dangerous? When there are too many teeth, this primarily affects the formation of the bite. After all, no matter what type of anomaly is diagnosed, when teething, extra teeth will displace the main ones that are nearby, thereby bending the dentition. In very rare cases, incomplete teeth do not cause malocclusion. Due to the problems caused by polyodontics, there are disorders in the digestive system and the development of various diseases of the dentition. In addition, a person may suffer from frequent headaches and impaired liver function.
According to statistics, the most common is atypical multi-tooth, that is, supernumerary incisors grow outside the dentition. This arrangement very negatively affects the aesthetic side, which affects the mental state of the patient. A person becomes irritable and withdrawn.
The next problem that supradentia can cause is retention of complete teeth. The fact is that extra incisors often appear in places reserved for complete teeth. Because of this, when teething, they run into superfluous and begin to grow incorrectly or stop teething altogether, which leads not only to a problem with a bite, but also to loss of primary teeth.
Can polyodontia be cured?
An excessive number of teeth undoubtedly prevents their owner from living. That is why people turn to dentists with this problem. Polyodontics, as well as most deviations of the maxillofacial region, are treated surgically. However, in this way only the anomaly itself is eliminated, while the consequences caused by it remain. As a result, the patient is also prescribed orthodontic therapy as an additional treatment.
Super-complete teeth are removed, as a rule, even in childhood, because the dentition in a child is formed when replacing primary teeth with molars. If the anomaly is not eliminated, then the process of teething new teeth will go with violations. To remove uncut extra incisors, stimulate their growth. For this, a special prosthesis is fixed on the jaw. Thanks to him, the bite on the right site rises. In addition, auxiliary manipulations are prescribed that will activate the process. These include: vibration and electrical stimulation, massage. After installing the prosthesis and performing additional procedures, an undeveloped tooth is observed, and when the opportunity arises, it is removed. Unfortunately, this method of therapy is not always possible. The doctor determines the appropriateness of such treatment from the pictures.
As a rule, if the extra tooth cannot be removed, this procedure is abandoned in favor of surgery. To make the operation most successful, the patient is invited to undergo computed tomography, x-ray or orthopantogram. Based on the research done, the best approach to resolving the problem is chosen. Depending on the time allotted for the operation, the condition of the roots, the age of the patient and the number of extra teeth, the type of anesthesia used is determined - local or general. After eliminating the abnormality, they begin orthodontic treatment, which allows you to correct the bite. It can only be prescribed by the attending physician, since the methods of this therapy are strictly individual.
If the supernumerary tooth was not seen in childhood, then in adulthood it may not be removed. Of course, this option is only suitable if hyperodentia is not an obstacle. However, a retined tooth is removed at any age, since it can cause significant malocclusion and tooth deformation.
A person who has been diagnosed with a disease such as polyodontics should understand that the problem does not resolve itself. Treatment of pathology is necessary. For this, the patient must visit an experienced dentist, orthodontist or surgeon, undergo the necessary examination and begin treatment as soon as possible.