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It is widely assumed that the development of supernumerary teeth may involve a genetic factor.1 Supernumerary teeth are relatively common in the general population and appear to be more likely to occur in patients with a family history of such teeth.

In the Caucasian population the incidence of supernumerary teeth ranges from 1% to 3%. The mesiodens is the most frequent supernumerary tooth with a prevalence of 0.15% to 1.9%.2 Mesiodens appears to be more common in males than in females with a male-female ratio of 2:1.3 Familial occurrence of mesiodens is reported to involve more than one sibling, or one generation.2,4,5,6 In some cases, this anomaly has also been seen in more than one generation.7

There are many publications that focus on clinical, radiological and surgical or surgical-orthodontic aspects of the treatment of mesiodentes. However, the etiology and the genetic considerations of this dental anomaly remains unclear.

In this report, we present a rare case of two sisters, in both of whom a pair of mesiodentes caused the retention of permanent incisors. Unfortunately, no information was available concerning similar anomalies among their forebears.

Case reports

Case 1

In a 13-year-old-girl, referred with delayed eruption of the permanent central maxillary incisors, both deciduous central maxillary incisors were present. A review of her medical history showed nothing remarkable. Radiography showed that two supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxilla were preventing the eruption of the permanent incisors. The supernumerary teeth were removed surgically, and removal of bone was performed to facilitate the rapid eruption of the permanent incisors.

Case 2

In the maxillary arch of the 8-year-old-sister of the subject of Case 1, the permanent central incisors had erupted without the deciduous central incisors having exfoliated. Radiography showed a pair of supernumerary teeth in the same positions as in Case 1, though with less developed roots. The general morphology and position of the supernumerary teeth were identical in the radiographs of both sisters (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Again, surgical removal of the supernumerary teeth was followed by removal of bone.

Figure 1
figure 1

Orthopantomograph Case 1

Figure 2
figure 2

Orthopantomograph Case 2

In neither case did histological examination show the dental tissues of the supernumerary teeth to differ from those of normal teeth.

Discussion

Several theories have been proposed for the etiology of hyperdontia: theory of differentiation, theory of concrescence, post permanent theory, dichotomy theory and hyperactivity theory. However the hyperactivity theory, which states that supernumerary teeth are derived from independent local hyperactivity of the dental lamina, has been more accepted. According to this hypothesis the lingual extension of an additional tooth bud leads to a eumorphic mesiodens, while the rudimentary form arises from proliferation of epithelial remnants of the dental lamina induced by pressure of the dentition.8,9

There appears to be evidence to suggest a familial predisposition to producing extra teeth. Many published cases of supernumerary teeth mention reincidence within the same family, but without investigating this aspect in detail. Such cases include that of two brothers, in one of whom a mesiodens appeared with the deciduous teeth and in the other the mesiodens appeared at the same time as the permanent incisors.5 In another case, two brothers, aged 11 and 12 years, one of whom had typical conical mesiodens and the other who had an unusual molariform mesiodens (mesiodens with coronal morphology vaguely similar to that of a molar);6 and that of a brother and a sister, one with an inverted mesiodens and one with an uninverted mesiodens.2 The latter two reports did not mention the absence of similar abnormalities in the parents. Sedano et al.2 nevertheless suggested that mesiodens is an autosomal dominant trait with lack of penetrance in some generations. Bruning et al.10 has even proposed the possibility of sex-linked inheritance caused by the existence of a sex predominance of males over females. Cadenat et al.7 pointed out that there is a recessive gene on an autosome and a gene on the inhibiting X chromosome. These authors refuted the theory of mutation and finally reported the case of mesiodens in two non-identical twins and in their grandfather. Although no investigation proved the hereditary condition of the mesiodens, it is quite possible, in view of the patients showing a familial disposition.3 Many authors suggested inheritance as a key factor in the development of mesiodens.2,3,7,10 Brook11 postulated a multifactorial polygenic model of quasi-continuous traits for simultaneous consideration of supernumeraries, megadontia, oligodontia and microdontia. Nislander and Sujaku12 compiled data for supernumerary teeth, and theorised that this trait may be associated with an autosomal recessive gene with lesser penetrance in the female. Further support of a genetic component in hyperdontia is evidenced by their simultaneous occurrence in identical twins.13

The presence of hyperdontia may be associated with various developmental disorders. The two most common disorders with a significant incidence of a supernumerary teeth are cleft lip and cleft palate,14 and cleidocranial dysplasia.15 Less frequent developmental disorders are Gardner's Syndrome, Fabry-Anderson's Syndrome, chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Greveld Syndrome), incontinentia pigmenti, and tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome.1,8,16,17 However, neither of our patients had any symptoms suggestive of a syndromic background.

Human dental eruption is known to be a dynamic interaction between genetics and the environment, each one affecting and being affected by the other. Therefore, changes in the initial stages result in hyperdontia, such as mesiodens, or hypodontia. From our point of view a more detailed investigation into family history of patients with mesiodentes is needed.