3 Rare Oral Health Problems You Should Know About

You probably know quite a bit about tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, but what you may not realize is that there are several other types of rare oral health problems in San Antonio. Although they may or may not affect you and your smile, it’s important that you are aware of them in case your child or someone you love experiences issues. Read on to learn more about these three issues that can develop inside the mouth.

Additional Growth: Talon Cusps

If you notice a small growth on the backside of your teeth, this is what is known as a talon cusp. Although it may seem insignificant, it can actually pose a problem with your oral health in many ways, such as:

• An improper bite
• Additional plaque accumulation between the cusp and tooth
• Overcrowding
• Soft tissue irritation

Because these small growths may contain pulp, dentists must treat them with caution, recommending a root canal instead of milling them down.

Look-Alikes: Gemination

The Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research states that gemination is an extremely rare disorder that only occurs in 0.1% of permanent teeth. This occurs when there is only one tooth root but two attached crowns. One of the biggest concerns associated with gemination is the potential for overcrowding because of the additional visual structure. Also, cavities and gum disease can be more likely to occur.

The only way to treat this type of problem is for a dentist to extract the tooth and allow the patient to choose between a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant to fill in the gap.

Overcrowding: Hyperdontia

This may not seem quite as rare, but most people do not have a problem with crowded teeth. The reality is that even one extra tooth can pose a potential problem when it comes to alignment and bite issues. However, when an individual has multiple teeth that should not be present, it will be essential to undergo treatment sooner rather than later.

This unique situation typically occurs in patients who are living with some form of genetic disorder. Individuals with a cleft palate or who have Down syndrome are most likely to experience hyperdontia. It is also likely to pose potential risks, such as bite misalignment, a speech impediment, facial deformities, and impacted teeth.

These conditions are rare, but they’re still ones that dentists see on occasion. Recognizing the signs of these lesser common oral health problems can be helpful should you or a loved one begin to experience problems.

About the Practice
At Alamo Springs Dental, our team sees oral health issues of all types. While tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities are the three most common, we tend to treat some of the rarest disorders as well. This is why we are happy to discuss the signs and symptoms associated with problems such as hyperdontia, gemination, talon cusps, and anodontia with our patients. If you think you might be experiencing one of these, contact us at (210) 463-9339.