Polyodontia - an anomaly of development, the number of teeth exceeding the norm. As a general 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 greater number of teeth are observed in the human oral cavity. This, according to dentists, is an anomaly and has a diagnosis. So, let's consider what this disease is, what causes affect its development? How is polyodontia treated in humans? Let's start in order.
What is this
The medical term "polyodontia" 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 polyodontia is an excessive number of teeth. This anomaly has other names - hyperodentia, supradentia, supernumerary teeth or polydentation.
The problem is divided into several types. Differentiation of the disease depends on its symptoms. Of particular importance is the location of supernumeraryteeth. Depending on this, polyodontia in humans is divided into typical (atavistic) and atypical.
Atavistic form
Typical (atavistic) polyodontia was inherited 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 awaken in modern humans, which is manifested by many teeth. 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 the oral cavity in excess of the norm.
Atypical polyodontia
Atypical polyodontia in humans has its own characteristics. This species is characterized by the location of extra teeth outside the dentition, that is, the teeth erupt outside the alveolar sockets. Moreover, in some cases, hyperodentia does not even appear in the oral cavity.
True polyodontia
Polyodontia in people can also differ in origin. Then it is divided into true and false.
True polyodontia in humans fully reflects the essence of the problem. Its development is associated with genetic predisposition and teragenic factors. For this condition, the formation and subsequent development of extra rudiments of molars is necessary.
Pseudo-polyodontia
False polyodontia in humansis diagnosed if the milk tooth does not fall out, but remains to perform the functions of the molar. In medical practice, there are cases when a milk tooth was found in a person over 50 years old. In addition, false polyodontia is diagnosed when adjacent teeth are fused or other deviations in the development of the dentition.
Polyodontia in humans: causes of occurrence
This anomaly is considered a congenital malformation. According to statistics, more than a third of cases are associated with a genetic predisposition. The dental system begins to form in the embryo in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Various kinds of failures leading to developmental disorders occur under the influence of numerous aggressive factors. These include: poor ecology, viral diseases transferred during pregnancy, intake of alcohol, narcotic or illegal medications by the future mother.
In principle, today scientists cannot give an exact answer to the question of the development of polyodontics, all research in this area of medicine is under consideration. To more fully study the problem, scientists will need the introduction of the latest technologies, a diversified study of the anomaly and, of course, time.
What is the danger of polyodontics
Many people are wondering if polyodontia is dangerous? When there are too many teeth, this, first of all, negatively affects the formation of bite. After all, no matter what kind of anomalydiagnosed, when erupting, extra teeth will displace the main ones that are nearby, thereby distorting the dentition. In very rare cases, incomplete teeth do not cause deformation in the bite. Due to the problems caused by polyodontics, there are disturbances in the digestive system and the development of various diseases of the dentition. In addition, a person may suffer from frequent headaches and liver dysfunction.
According to statistics, the most common is atypical polydentation, that is, supernumerary incisors grow outside the dentition. This location has a very negative effect on the aesthetic side, which affects the mental state of the patient. The person becomes irritable and withdrawn.
The next problem that supradentia can cause is the retention of complete teeth. The fact is that extra incisors often appear in places reserved for complete teeth. Because of this, during eruption, the latter encounter superfluous ones and begin to grow incorrectly or stop eruption altogether, which leads not only to a bite problem, but also to the loss of the main teeth.
Can polyodontia be cured?
Excessive number of teeth, of course, prevents their owner from living. That is why people turn to dentists with this problem. Treatment of polyodontia, as well as most deviations of the maxillofacial region, is performed surgically. However, only the anomaly itself is eliminated in this way, while the consequences caused byher, remain. As a result, the patient is also prescribed orthodontic therapy as an additional treatment.
Supernumerary teeth are removed, as a rule, even in childhood, because the child's dentition is formed when replacing milk teeth with molars. If the anomaly is not eliminated, then the process of eruption of new teeth will go with violations. To remove uncut extra incisors, stimulate their growth. To do this, a special prosthesis is fixed on the jaw. Thanks to him, the bite in the right area increases. In addition, auxiliary manipulations are prescribed that will activate the process. These include: vibration and electrical stimulation, massage. After installing the prosthesis and carrying out additional procedures, the 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. In order for the operation to be most successful, the patient is invited to undergo computed tomography, X-ray or orthopantogram. Based on the research done, the best approach to fix 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 the anomaly is eliminated, orthodontic treatment is started, which allows correcting the bite. It can only be prescribed by the attending physician, since the methodsthis therapy is strictly individual.
If a supernumerary tooth was not noticed in childhood, then in adulthood it may not be removed. Of course, this option is only suitable if hyperodentia is not a hindrance. However, an impacted tooth is removed at any age, as it can cause significant malocclusion and deformity of the teeth.
A person who has been diagnosed with a disease such as polyodontics must understand that the problem that has arisen will not resolve on its own. Pathology treatment is mandatory. To do this, the patient needs to visit an experienced dentist, orthodontist or surgeon, undergo the necessary examination and begin treatment as soon as possible.
