Teeth abnormalities: more common than you think!

Everyone’s teeth are different- the size and shape of normal teeth varies, especially molars. However, sometimes a patient may have abnormally shaped teeth which can result from many different conditions. There are some diseases that can affect tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth. Abnormal teeth can be caused by a number of things, from disease, to genetics.

At Shane McDowell, DMD, we offer a comprehensive array of cosmeceutical dental solutions, from fillings, dental restorations, crowns, bridges, and whitening techniques.

We’ve seen it all—but here’s some information about some abnormal teeth issues that you may be suffering from, and what we can do to help:

Extra Teeth Some patients may have supernumerary teeth, which are extra teeth that appear in addition to the regular number of teeth. The cause of this anomaly is a developmental disturbance creating intracellular activity at the beginning of tooth development. Sometimes these extra teeth can cause dental problems for surrounding teeth. The most common treatment for supernumerary teeth is extraction.

Missing Teeth Hypodontia, Oligodonita, & Partial Anodontia – All three of these dental conditions mean the absence of one or more teeth. Congenital absence of all wisdom teeth or third molars is common among patients. The cause of missing teeth (they don’t exist under the gum!) can be radiation exposure, or a hereditary disturbance like ectodermal dysplasia. The treatment for missing teeth depends on their location—at Shane McDowell, we have a few ways in which we can fix this issue, such as implants.

Larger than normal teeth Megadontia is a condition whereteeth which exceeds the normal range of variations, maxillary incisors, mandibular incisors, and mandibular second premolar. This is not a serious condition but we can help you fix this cosmetically.

Smaller than normal teeth Microdonita is a condition where teeth are smaller than normal—this is also not a serious condition, but with teeth smaller than normal, you may not feel confident in your smile. Our office has multiple ways of fixing this for you!

Teeth that are fused together This condition is called fusion, and is when two developing teeth merge together, fusing two normally separated teeth. This can happen during the development stage but if not corrected, can continue into adulthood. There is a groove that runs through the tooth that is prone to decay, even more sensitive than your rear molars! We may need to place a filling between the lines. Another option is to cosmetically repair the teeth so that they are two teeth again.

Little to no enamel on your teeth: Amelogenesis Imperfecto This condition is an abnormal formation of the enamel or external layer of teeth. The enamel is composed mostly of mineral that is formed and regulated by the proteins in it and is caused by malfunction of proteins in the enamel. Teeth may appear yellow, brown, or grey. Teeth with less enamel are at a higher risk for cavities and hypersensitivity to temperature changes and acidic foods. In some cases, crowns can be used to compensate for the soft enamel, providing a protective barrier and a beautiful smile.

At Shane McDowell, DMD, we believe that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you! Unfortunately, if you’re hiding your smile because you feel it’s not attractive or healthy, it sends a negative message to people around you, and has an effect on your self-confidence. Our dentistry services include cosmetic services such as orthodontics, crowns, tooth colored fillings, bridges, veneers, teeth whitening, or an entire smile makeover! We make customized plans to help our patients feel great about themselves. We even offer payments plans to make it as easy as possible for our patients to access the care they deserve!

Call us today to set up a consultation at 239-936-0597 or email us at info@myfortmyersdentist.com