Hyperdontia: Exploring the Developmental Abnormality

Introduction and objective. Hyperdontia is a dental developmental anomaly in which supernumerary teeth exist. These are
extra teeth to the normal set of primary or permanent dentitions. This article reviews the current literature on hyperdontia
in the permanent dentition.
Materials and method. A thorough literature search was carried out using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases.
Results were reviewed, prioritized, and findings compiled. The key words of the search strategy were: prevalence, case reports,
supernumerary, supplemental, distomolars, forth molars, paramolars, parapremolars, mesiodens, and supernumerary lateral
incisors. Only articles in English published in peer-reviewed journals were included.
Brief description of the state of knowledge. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth varies between and within different
populations. They may cause various aesthetic, occlusal, and functional complications and often require an interdisciplinary
intervention. Familiarity with such anomalies is essential for the dental practitioner. Recognition and correct identification
of the anomaly is important when communicating with other dental team members, especially in the case of a referral to
or from another dental office. Moreover, understanding the anomaly is an important factor in determining the course of
treatment, if any.
Conclusion. It is hoped that this review will provide dental practitioners with an update on the classification, characteristics,
and prevalence figures for each type of supernumerary tooth.