Supernumerary Teeth
Avoid Crowded & Crooked Teeth
Clear the Way for a Healthy Smile by Removing Supernumerary Teeth
in Virginia Beach
Removing an extra tooth can make room for your other teeth to come in straight and on time. Extra teeth often show up in children, but adults can have them too. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat supernumerary teeth in Virginia Beach with careful planning.
Some extra teeth break through the gums, while others stay hidden in the jaw. Advanced imaging shows where each one sits and how close it lies to nearby roots. That lets your surgeon remove the tooth while protecting the teeth around it. Taking out an extra tooth can ease crowding and help braces work as planned. As with any surgical procedure, IV sedation is available to keep you or your child relaxed. Our surgeons also may use platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to promote faster healing.
Schedule a consultation to find out if removal of extra teeth is right for you or your child.
Find Out How Extra Teeth Can Cause Problems for Your Smile
Supernumerary teeth are teeth beyond the normal set of 20 baby teeth or 32 adult teeth. The most common type, called a mesiodens, grows between the two upper front teeth. Others can appear behind the molars or near the premolars.
An extra tooth may keep an adult tooth from coming in or push nearby teeth out of line. In rare situations, an extra tooth forms a cyst that can harm the jawbone over time.
Not every extra tooth needs removal. Some hidden extra teeth cause no trouble and can simply be watched with regular X-rays. When removal makes sense, timing matters. Taking the tooth out at the right age gives the blocked tooth its best chance to erupt on its own.
If you think you could have supernumerary teeth in Virginia Beach, contact our office today for help.
Easier Tooth Eruption
Removing an extra tooth clears the path so a blocked adult tooth can come in on its own.
Straighter Smile
Taking out an extra tooth gives the rest of your teeth room to line up more evenly.
Smoother Orthodontic Treatment
Clearing extra teeth before or during braces helps your orthodontist move teeth into place as planned.
Healthier Jawbone
Removing a hidden extra tooth lowers the chance of a cyst forming and damaging the surrounding bone.
Closed Front Gaps
Frequently Asked Questions About Supernumerary Teeth
Q What are supernumerary teeth?
Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth that grow in addition to the normal set of baby or adult teeth. They can appear anywhere in the mouth but most often show up near the upper front teeth. Some break through the gums, while others stay hidden in the jawbone and only show up on X-rays.
Q What causes supernumerary teeth?
The exact cause of supernumerary teeth isn't fully known, but genetics often plays a role. Extra teeth tend to run in families. They are also more common in people with certain conditions, such as cleft lip and palate. Most people with extra teeth are otherwise healthy and have no related conditions.
Q What is a mesiodens?
A mesiodens is the most common type of supernumerary tooth. It forms between the two upper front teeth, often with a small, cone-like shape. A mesiodens can block nearby front teeth from coming in or create a gap between them. Many are found on routine dental X-rays during early childhood.
Q Do supernumerary teeth always need to be removed?
Supernumerary teeth do not always need to be removed. An extra tooth that causes no crowding and doesn't block other teeth may simply be watched with regular X-rays. Removal is usually recommended when the tooth keeps other teeth from erupting or harms nearby roots. A cyst forming around the tooth is another common reason.
Q At what age are supernumerary teeth usually removed?
Supernumerary teeth are often removed between ages 6 and 10 when they block adult front teeth. Removing them during this window gives the blocked teeth a better chance to erupt on their own. Timing depends on the tooth's position and how close it sits to developing roots. Adults can also have extra teeth removed.
Q What problems can supernumerary teeth cause?
Supernumerary teeth can cause crowding and keep adult teeth from coming in. They may push neighboring teeth out of line or leave a gap between the front teeth. In rare situations, a cyst forms around an extra tooth and damages the jawbone. Some extra teeth cause no problems at all.
Q Can adults have supernumerary teeth?
Adults can have supernumerary teeth, and some people don't learn about them until adulthood. Hidden extra teeth are often found on X-rays taken for other reasons. An adult may need an extra tooth removed if it causes crowding or gets in the way of braces or implants. Others can be safely left alone.
Q How are hidden supernumerary teeth found?
Hidden supernumerary teeth are usually found on dental X-rays or 3-D imaging. A dentist may spot one during a routine checkup or when an adult tooth is late to come in. Cone beam CT scans show the extra tooth's exact position, which helps with safe removal planning. Many cause no symptoms.
