Cavities and gum disease are some of the most common oral health conditions that could threaten your smile, but they are far from the only ones. There are a number of rare tooth disorders that many people are not aware of that could nevertheless put the teeth at risk. Luckily, your dentist can treat these rare oral health problems in Reynoldsburg as long as you seek care as soon as possible. Below are 4 lesser-known conditions that you should be more familiar with.
1. Anodontia/Hypodontia
Usually if there’s a gap in your smile, it’s because it was knocked out or extracted. But for people with anodontia or hypodontia, the empty space is due to the fact that the teeth never formed in the first place. With hypodontia, between one to five teeth fail to develop; anodontia is even more serious, as it occurs when none of the adult teeth form. Both conditions are genetic, so there is no way to cure them; instead, implants or dentures need to be placed so that the individual can still eat, speak, and breathe normally. Your child may be diagnosed with anodontia or hypodontia if their permanent teeth don’t start developing around their tenth birthday.
2. Talon Cusps
A talon cusp is a cone-shaped growth that appears behind a given tooth. It can contribute to a number of health issues. For example, it can crowd your other teeth, leading to a number of orthodontic problems. Depending on the location, it may also irritate the soft tissues inside your mouth, and it could lead to plaque buildup if it gets in the way of brushing or flossing. Cusps can be removed, but if they happen to contain tooth pulp, root canal therapy might be a necessary part of the process.
3. Geminated Teeth
Each tooth develops from a bud that’s already present in your mouth when you’re born. However, in rare cases, a bud might develop into two teeth, resulting in a larger-than-normal, misshapen tooth. This is known as tooth gemination, and it can very easily lead to overcrowding, misaligned bites, and other problems. Sometimes the problem will go away on its own, but if the geminated tooth starts to affect your other teeth, it will have to be removed.
4. Hyperdontia
Most adults have 28 permanent teeth plus 4 wisdom teeth that may or may not need to be removed. If there’s an extra tooth (most likely in the upper arch), you have what’s known as hyperdontia. The extra tooth may not break through the gums at all, but it can still interfere with the development of your other teeth. As such, if any extra teeth are found, they should be taken out of the mouth as soon as possible.
If anyone in your family is showing signs of these tooth disorders, call your dentist for a checkup immediately. You should also schedule an appointment for any other unusual oral symptoms even if you’re not sure what they mean. After all, everyone only gets one natural smile; if you want yours to last, you need to be proactive about protecting it.
About the Author
Dr. Walter Mick has been providing comprehensive dental care for his Reynoldsburg patients for over 30 years now. He is very passionate when it comes to solving dental problems; no matter how big or unusual your dental concerns are, he’ll find the root of the issue as well as the best solution for keeping your smile healthy and functional. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mick, visit our website or call (614) 864-4618.