Case of Bilateral Supernumerary Teeth Observed in Maxillary Premolar Area

Abstract

The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in Japanese patients has been estimated to range from 1- 5%. Most cases show occurrence in the maxillary front tooth area, while that in the maxillary premolar area is relatively rare. Recently, we experienced a case of bilateral supernumerary teeth in the maxillary premolar area of an 11-year-8-month-old boy. The patient initially visited a general practitioner with delay of eruption of the maxillary first premolars and was referred to our university clinic for further examinations of impacted bilateral supernumerary teeth found in panorama X-ray images. There were no subjective symptoms, while cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings confirmed the presence of supernumerary teeth bilaterally, close to the maxillary first premolar. Extraction of the supernumerary teeth was conducted after concluding that early treatment was necessary in order to prevent adverse effects related to permanent tooth alignment. As for the maxillary right first premolar in this case, the shape resembled that of the supernumerary tooth and the size was also similar, thus it was vital to determine which tooth should be extracted. That decision was made after considering the advantages of tooth alignment after extraction and reviewing the root curve shape in images obtained by CBCT. Although the erupted maxillary right first premolar was slightly dislocated in the buccal direction, tooth alignment is presently acceptable and we will continue observations, taking note of occlusion.