What is dental microdontia?
So, the word ‘microdontia’ means having small teeth. A person who has one or more teeth smaller than normal is said to have a case of microdontia. Such small teeth are called, by specialists, microdontic teeth or simply microdonts. Microdonts can have normal or abnormal morphology.
What is the cause of microdontia?
One of the most common causes of microdontia appears to be mutations of the MSX1 gene. Such mutations can also lead to hypodontia and orofacial clefting. The smallest known teeth have been reported in patients with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II; Fig. 14.27).
What is the treatment for microdontia?
Treatment options for the comprehensive management of microdontia, which may also include hypodontia, vary but broadly include the following: 1. Orthodontic treatment – to idealise tooth position of the microdont tooth or teeth 2.
How common is microdontia?
Microdontia is a type of dental anomaly in which teeth are smaller in size than normal. This abnormality can occur in permanent teeth and primary teeth. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of microdontia ranges from 1.5 to 2% and occurs more frequently in females than males.
How do you fix Macrodontia?
Treatment
- Orthodontics. Orthodontics can help straighten your teeth and expand your jaw if necessary.
- Teeth shaving. Another cosmetic option for those with macrodontia is to try teeth shaving.
- Teeth removal. Removing some teeth can help space out existing teeth in the mouth.
What is Macrodontia?
Total: Total macrodontia or macrodontism is an anomaly that occurs when all teeth are larger than usual. It is related to disorders such as gigantism and hemihypertrophy.
How common is macrodontia?
Macrodontia in permanent teeth is thought to affect 0.03 to 1.9 percent of people worldwide. Often, those with macrodontia have one or two teeth in their mouth that’re unusually large. Sometimes two teeth grow together, forming an extra-large tooth.
What does macrodontia look like?
Generally, patients with macrodontia have one or two teeth in their mouth that is abnormally large; however, single tooth growth is seen in a number of cases as well. The three types of macrodontia are true generalized macrodontia, relative generalized macrodontia, and macrodontia of a single tooth.
How do I know if I have macrodontia?
A dentist can diagnose macrodontia by performing a dental exam and taking X-rays of your teeth. After they make a diagnosis, your dentist will recommend a specific course of treatment. If they can’t find any cause of your enlarged teeth, they may recommend that you visit a cosmetic dentist.
Can macrodontia be fixed?
The teeth that usually present this anomaly are the canines, the incisors and the third molars. Partial macrodontia is increasingly common in children and sometimes the cause is not well known. But it is usually corrected with orthodontics and tooth carving.
Why are my lateral incisors pointy?
The term “Peg lateral” refers to an anomaly affecting the upper lateral incisors which causes these teeth to be abnormally small in size or even ‘pointy’ compared to their usual more rectangular shape. Peg laterals may occur on just one or on both sides of a patient’s mouth.
What kind of teeth are affected by microdontia?
The most common teeth affected are the upper lateral incisors and third molars. Teeth affected by microdontia may also have abnormal shape, and the abnormal size may affect the whole tooth, or only a part of the tooth. Males tend to have larger teeth than females, and tooth size also varies according to race.
How are supernumerary teeth different from microdontia teeth?
In contrast, supernumerary teeth exhibit a male predominance, with teeth that are larger than normal and often exhibit a more complex anatomy. In spite of these associations, the decreased/increased tooth size is subtle. Generalized marked microdontia or macrodontia is rare and usually is noted in association with pituitary dysfunction.
What is the difference between localized and generalized microdontia?
Localized microdontia is also termed focal, or pseudo-microdontia. A single tooth is smaller than normal. Localized microdontia is far more common than generalized microdontia, and is often associated with hypodontia (reduced number of teeth).
When do you need orthodontics for microdontia?
Orthodontics may be required in severe cases to close gaps between the teeth. Females are affected more than males, and the condition occurs in permanent (adult) teeth more than deciduous (baby teeth or milk teeth). ^ a b c d e f g h i jPoulsen S; Koch G (2013).
