From the Causes of Supernumerary Teeth to Extraction / The Supernumerary Tooth Extraction Process / Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic

Hello, this is Gangnam Leon Dental Clinic😀

Although the number of teeth is generally fixed,

there are cases where more teeth

than the normal number develop.

These are called supernumerary teeth.

They are often discovered during childhood,

but some cases are found incidentally in adults

during CT scans for orthodontic consultations

or other dental treatments.

The problem is that leaving supernumerary teeth untreated

may lead to various problems, such as

malocclusion, difficulty with permanent tooth eruption, or inflammation.

Today, we will provide an easy-to-understand overview,

from the causes of supernumerary teeth

to when extraction is necessary and how the procedure is performed.

Teeth That Develop in Greater Numbers Than Normal

: Supernumerary Teeth

Supernumerary teeth refer to teeth

that develop in addition to the normal number of teeth.

People generally have

20 primary teeth and up to 32 permanent teeth,

including the wisdom teeth.

When additional teeth develop beyond this number,

they are called supernumerary teeth.

They are usually discovered

in an impacted form, hidden beneath the gums,

and are especially common around the upper front teeth.

📌 Characteristics of Supernumerary Teeth

• Usually impacted

• Small, cone-shaped form

• Mainly found around the upper front teeth

• Occasionally found near the premolars or canines

Causes of Supernumerary Teeth

Although the exact cause has not been clearly identified,

they are generally believed to develop

under the influence of the following factors:

✔️ Genetic factors (family history)

✔️ Problems during growth and development

✔️ Abnormalities in tooth development

They are particularly likely to be discovered

when there is a family history.

How Are Supernumerary Teeth Discovered?

Because supernumerary teeth are usually

impacted beneath the gums,

it is difficult to know whether they are present

under normal circumstances.

However, they are often discovered through dental examinations

after symptoms appear, such as

permanent teeth failing to erupt normally

or the teeth becoming misaligned.

👧 Suspected Signs of Supernumerary Teeth in Children

• One front tooth erupts later than the other

• The front teeth erupt crooked

• Gaps develop between the teeth

🔻

Examinations frequently show that a supernumerary tooth

is blocking the path of a permanent tooth as it erupts.

They are often discovered through X-rays

during the early years of elementary school.

👨 Discovery of Supernumerary Teeth in Adults

• Wisdom tooth examinations

• Implant consultations

• Orthodontic evaluations

• Temporomandibular joint examinations

Supernumerary teeth are often discovered

while taking X-rays for purposes such as these.

🔻

Some people remain unaware of them because they have no symptoms,

but depending on their location,

they may also cause inflammation

or become a source of pain.

Problems Caused by Supernumerary Teeth

Depending on their direction and impacted state,

supernumerary teeth can affect the surrounding teeth and gums

and cause various symptoms.

In particular, if they remain impacted,

they may lead to alignment problems or inflammation,

so caution is needed.

✅ Front Teeth Do Not Erupt at the Normal Time

A supernumerary tooth can block the path of a permanent tooth,

which may delay the eruption of the front teeth.

✅ Permanent Teeth Erupt Crooked

A tooth whose normal position is obstructed

may erupt tilted to the side or rotated.

✅ Gaps Between the Teeth (Midline Diastema)

The space between the teeth may widen

as the supernumerary tooth pushes the front teeth apart.

✅ Teeth May Overlap, Resembling Crowding

When insufficient space develops,

the teeth may form an uneven arrangement.

✅ Misalignment Requiring Orthodontic Treatment

Supernumerary teeth can disrupt the overall bite and alignment,

leading to a situation in which orthodontic treatment is needed.

✅ Gum Swelling and Inflammation

If bacteria enter the area around an impacted supernumerary tooth,

gum inflammation or discomfort may occur.

✅ Discomfort and Pressure When Chewing

Depending on its location, a supernumerary tooth may press against

nearby teeth or gums, causing a sensation of something being present.

✅ Rarely, Pain or Cyst Formation

If left untreated for a long time,

a cyst may form in the surrounding tissue,

or pain may occur in some cases.

🔻

Not everyone with a supernumerary tooth

will develop all of the symptoms described above.

However, extraction may be considered

when there is a risk of movement of the surrounding teeth

or inflammation.

Do Supernumerary Teeth Always Need to Be Extracted?

The question most frequently asked after receiving a diagnosis

of a supernumerary tooth is whether extraction is absolutely necessary.

To begin with the conclusion, not every supernumerary tooth

must be extracted.

In some cases, monitoring the tooth over time

may be safer than extraction.

The criteria for extracting a supernumerary tooth are

whether it is currently causing problems

and whether there is a possibility of future risks.

🟢 When Extraction Is Not Performed

• When there is no effect on the surrounding teeth

• When the surgical risk is greater because it is close to a nerve or tooth root

• When there are no signs of inflammation at all

• When it has remained symptom-free for a long time

🔴 When Extraction Is Necessary

• When it interferes with the eruption of a normal tooth

• When it causes the teeth to become misaligned

• When there is a risk of inflammation or cyst formation

• When pain or pressure is present

In other words, the decision to extract

is made by comprehensively assessing the location and direction

of the supernumerary tooth, as well as the surrounding structures.

Diagnosis and Extraction Process for Supernumerary Teeth

Because most supernumerary teeth are impacted

and often hidden deep inside the gums,

an accurate diagnosis is more important than a simple extraction.

In particular, the extraction plan is based on CT imaging

because it is necessary to accurately confirm the tooth’s relationship

with the surrounding teeth and nerves.

The treatment method and recovery process may also vary

depending on the location and depth of the supernumerary tooth.

① Initial Examination - Identifying and Locating the Supernumerary Tooth

A panoramic X-ray is used

to determine whether a supernumerary tooth is present.

Along with confirming its presence,

the examination identifies its ▲approximate location, ▲direction,

and ▲relationship with the surrounding teeth.

② CT Scan - Detailed Examination

A three-dimensional CT scan is performed

to examine the depth of the supernumerary tooth

and the surrounding structures.

Detailed information that is difficult to determine

with a two-dimensional panoramic X-ray is assessed,

including ▲the exact location of the tooth, ▲distance from the nerve,

▲depth, and ▲direction and angle.

③ Decision on Extraction and Treatment Planning

Based on the imaging results and symptoms caused by the supernumerary tooth,

the need for extraction is determined

and a treatment plan is established.

④ Extraction and Suturing

After administering local anesthesia,

the tooth is extracted according to the treatment plan,

and the area is sutured.

⑤ Recovery

Following the provided instructions,

you return approximately one week later

to have the sutures removed.

Precautions After Supernumerary Tooth Extraction

To promote a smooth recovery after extraction,

early care is important.

✔️ Avoid using straws

✔️ Avoid hot and irritating foods

✔️ Refrain from strenuous exercise and saunas

✔️ Avoid alcohol and smoking for one week

✔️ Continue taking prescribed medications

✔️ Minimize irritation to the surgical site when brushing your teeth

Supernumerary teeth are often discovered

when children have problems with the eruption of their front teeth

or during CT examinations in adults.

Not every supernumerary tooth must be extracted,

but even if there are no symptoms at present,

changes may occur over time.

Therefore, professional evaluation is very important

to determine the current condition

and what may happen in the future.

If your child’s front teeth are erupting late

or you are preparing for an examination before orthodontic treatment,

checking whether a supernumerary tooth is present

may be helpful.

Previous image Next image