4 Rare Tooth Disorders You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

You know all about the dangers of cavities and periodontal disease, but these can all be prevented by regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits. However, there is a world of other, more rare teeth conditions out there that not too many people know much about. While they are rare, many of them can be treated by a dental professional. Continue reading to learn more about what they are and how they can affect your smile.

Anodontia or Hypodontia

Anodontia is a rare genetic tooth disorder that causes some or all teeth not to form. It can affect baby teeth, but it is more common with permanent teeth. When a patient has complete anodontia, none of the permanent teeth form, but partial anodontia is more common. This is where one or more teeth are missing. Hypodontia is when between one to five teeth don’t develop. This disorder cannot be reversed or cured, but dentures or implants may be an option.

Talon Cusps

This refers to a conical-like growth that develops at the back of one of the teeth. This can cause oral health issues like, malocclusion (bad bite), crowding of the mouth, soft tissue irritation, and an accumulation of plaque in the groove between the cusp and its host tooth. The cusp may or may not contain tooth pulp, so it is important that dentists treat them carefully. The most common treatment is to grind the cusps down, but if they contain pulp, a root canal treatment may be necessary.

Geminated Teeth

Tooth gemination is when two different teeth develop from a single bud causing an extra-large or disfigured tooth with two chambers of tooth pulp but only one root. This can cause a misaligned bite, tooth decay, and overcrowding in the mouth. If the tooth isn’t too wide, sometimes it will shed on its own. However, if it is causing an issue to surrounding teeth, it may need to be extracted.

Hyperdontia

This is when you have too many teeth. According to the European Journal of Dentistry, the extra teeth are likely found in the upper jaw. Most of the time, people with this condition only have one extra tooth. Often times, the extra teeth don’t actually erupt, only develop in the gum. This can delay the appearance of other teeth and cause overcrowding. In this cause, a dentist may recommend that the teeth are extracted.

There are all sorts of issues that can occur in the mouth. After all, the body is very complex. By seeing your dentist regularly, many of these oral health problems can be caught and corrected.

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, a team of general dentists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and prosthodontists all working together to provide quality care to their patients in Duncanville. Patients can get pretty much everything they need in one convenient location. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (972) 331-8100.