A mesiodens is specific type of supernumerary tooth. It is an extra tooth located at the midline of the maxilla (upper jaw). They are usually detected on routine x-rays. Very rarely do they actually erupt and enter into the oral cavity; they typically stay in place in the upper jaw.
Panoramic X-ray of a Mesiodens
Mesiodens – circled in red – of a patient seen in our office in Orange, CT.
The above x-ray shows the mesiodens circled in red on a patient seen in our office in Orange, CT. In the above case, the mesiodens is slightly to the right of the midline. The patient was 18 years when this was detected on routine x-rays. No treatment was necessary.
Treatment of a Mesiodens
Periapical X-ray of a mesiodens
In nearly all cases, treatment is not necessary. The mesiodens is monitored with x-rays periodically to ensure no changes are occuring.
But in some cases, treatment is needed. Below lists the primary reasons why they are often treated:
- The mesiodens actually erupts into the oral cavity. When this happens, the tooth typically appears on the palate behind the permanent teeth. This can be quite uncomfortable and can interfere with talking and biting. Extraction is typically warranted in these circumstances.
- The mesiodens interferes with the normal eruption of the adjacent teeth. Treatment depends upon the age of the patient, the degree to which the normal eruption is being affected, and many other factors.
- A cyst or other pathology develops with the tooth. Extraction and biopsy of the suspicious tissue is always done.
