Supernumerary Teeth Diagnosis and Management

Supernumerary teeth, defined as any additional teeth beyond the normal dental formula, represent a common developmental anomaly with global prevalence varying from 0.1 % to 3 %. Their morphology ranges from conical and tuberculate to supplemental or odontoma-like forms. Supernumerary teeth may remain asymptomatic but frequently lead to delayed eruption, displacement or impaction of adjacent teeth, cyst formation and malocclusion. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical examination and imaging, with panoramic radiography serving as a screening tool and cone-beam computed tomography providing high-resolution three-dimensional assessment of tooth position, root morphology and proximity to vital structures. Management is tailored to the type, location and potential complications of the supernumerary tooth. Conservative monitoring may be appropriate for asymptomatic cases, while surgical removal is generally indicated to facilitate eruption of permanent incisors, prevent cystic change and alleviate crowding. The timing of extraction—ranging from early removal in the mixed dentition to delayed intervention in cases with incomplete root development of adjacent teeth—remains debated. Where impaction of permanent teeth has already occurred, adjunctive orthodontic traction or space-creation techniques are employed to guide eruption. Recent advances in molecular genetics have begun to elucidate underlying signalling pathways, informing risk stratification and potential non-surgical approaches. A multidisciplinary team approach involving paediatric dentists, oral surgeons and orthodontists underpins optimal outcomes and minimises complications.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Supernumerary Teeth Diagnosis and Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in supernumerary teeth diagnosis and management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Supernumerary tooth: An extra tooth or odontogenic structure beyond the normal dental count.

Mesiodens: A supernumerary tooth located in the midline of the maxillary central incisors.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT): A radiographic technique that produces three-dimensional images of dental structures with lower radiation dose than conventional CT.

Orthodontic traction: The application of controlled mechanical forces to guide an impacted or unerupted tooth into its correct position.

Endosomal trafficking: The intracellular process by which membrane receptors are sorted and transported to distinct endosomal compartments for signalling regulation or degradation.

References

1. Clinical and radiological features of malformed mesiodens in the nasopalatine canal: an observational study. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2024).
2. Genetic Variants in Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor Type 23 Are Responsible for Mesiodens Formation. Biology (2023).
3. Interventions to facilitate the successful eruption of impacted maxillary incisor teeth due to the presence of a supernumerary: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (2023).
4. Prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and complications of supernumerary teeth. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry (2014).