This week in the clinic: Supernumerary tooth (Distodens)

The weeks case is a case of a supernumerary tooth in the molar region.  Supernumerary teeth are frequently identified by the region of which they are found in the patients mouth.  A supernumerary tooth in the anterior portion of a jaw is sometimes referred to as a mesiodens.  A supernumerary tooth in the premolar region of a jaw is sometimes referred to as a peridens.  And lastly, a supernumerary tooth in the molar region of a jaw is sometimes referred to as a distodens.  This case is that of a distodens preventing the eruption of the third molar.  Supernumerary teeth vary greatly in size from a very small tooth (aka microdont) to a normal size tooth.  This one is a very small supernumerary tooth.

Enjoy!

This week in the clinic is a weekly series featuring cases I have come across in the dental field.  These cases have been collected from throughout the United States and world.  While the series title is ‘This week in the clinic’, that does not necessarily mean the case was actually seen this week in the clinic.