The epidemiology of supernumerary teeth and the associated molecular mechanism

Abstract

Supernumerary teeth are common clinical dental anomalies. Although various studies have provided abundant information regarding genes and signaling pathways involved in tooth morphogenesis, which include Wnt, FGF, BMP, and Shh, the molecular mechanism of tooth formation, especially for supernumerary teeth, is still unclear. In the population, some cases of supernumerary teeth are sporadic, while others are syndrome-related with familial hereditary. The prompt and accurate diagnosis of syndrome related supernumerary teeth is quite important for some distinctive disorders. Mice are the most commonly used model system for investigating supernumerary teeth. The upregulation of Wnt and Shh signaling in the dental epithelium results in the formation of multiple supernumerary teeth in mice. Understanding the molecular mechanism of supernumerary teeth is also a component of understanding tooth formation in general and provides clinical guidance for early diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Molar incisor hypomineralisation and dental anomalies: A random or real association?

“…Furthermore, the prevalence of other dental anomalies recorded by this study is slightly higher, but generally comparable, with previous epidemiological data . The only exception to this was the prevalence of supernumerary teeth: none were seen in the study group whereas a general population prevalence of 1%‐2% might be expected . Interestingly, in a comprehensive cross‐sectional study on the inter‐relationships of various dental anomalies, Barcetti also failed to find any associations with supernumerary teeth, suggesting they were a different aetiology to other anomalies…”

Supernumerary Teeth – Literature Review

“…Depending on their structure, supernumerary teeth may be divided into several morphological types: conical, tuberculate, supplemental teeth and odontoma [7,10,11,14]. The conical variation (31-75%) occurs most frequently in permanent dentition.…”

“…Despite numerous research studies, the aetiology of the formation of supernumerary teeth is not yet fully known, In the literature, the theories of atavism, dichotomy, hyperactivity of dental lamina, progress zone, unified aetiology and heredity have been described; however, not all of them are currently accepted [7,10,19,20,21]. At present, the most probable hypothesis for the development of hyperdontia is the hyperactivity of dental lamina [14]. According to this theory, supernumerary teeth may develop from the preserved remains of epithelial cells of the dental lamina following an incomplete resorption of epithelial cords, causing the development of a dysmorphic form.…”

“…So hyperdontia is a disorder related to polygenic inheritance and to the hyperactivity of dental lamina. Supernumerary teeth often constitute an element of developmental syndromes and disorders, such as amelogenesis imperfecta, cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, cleidocranial dysplasia, Crouzon syndrome, Franceschetti syndrome, Gardner syndrome, Down syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Rubenstein-Taybi syndrome, Zimmermann-Laband syndrome, Fabry syndrome, Ellis-Van Creveld syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome III and IV type, incontinentia pigmenti syndrome, oro-facio-digital type I, tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, Nance-Horan syndrome, Robinow syndrome, anophthalmia syndrome and Hallerman-Streiff syndrome [9,14,19,22,24,25].…”

Gardner Syndrome: Complications/Manifestations in the Oral Cavity and Their Relationship with Oral Health

“…The treatment of supernumerary teeth will depend on its type and position and on possible complications. There is no consensus on when the best time for removal of the supernumerary teeth is [43]. However, in most cases, extraction is the treatment of choice.…”