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Abnormal number of teeth
Knowledge of the normal number of teeth is helpful but not essential for the recognition of abnormal teeth or an abnormal number of teeth. Crowding from extra teeth, multiple missing teeth or the recognition of dissymmetry can be an indication of an abnormal number of teeth. In each situation, dental radiographs are very helpful for the diagnosis of the condition. An abnormal number of teeth may be clinically significant, functionally important or unimportant.
Supernumerary (extra) teeth, oligodontia (few teeth) and anodontia (no teeth) are all conditions with an abnormal number of teeth. Supernumerary teeth can cause crowding and predispose the pet to periodontal disease, create a malocclusion or result in teeth grinding. Supernumerary teeth are common in dogs especially of the incisors and premolar teeth. Supernumerary teeth are significantly less common in cats compared to dogs in our clinical experience, however they do occur as shown below in clinical cases.
Missing teeth must be confirmed with dental radiographs to make sure the tooth is not unerupted or impacted. Unerupted or impacted teeth can lead to dentigerous or radicular cysts. These cysts are typically nonpainful but they can be very locally destructive.
Some clinical cases;
Cat with supernumerary (too many) premolar teeth.
Cat; functionally significant supernumerary
right third premolar tooth. This patient
was "teeth grinding".
Same cat as above viewed from inside
the mouth.
Same cat as above opposite site. This
symmetrical occurance of supernumerary
teeth suggests an inherited condition.
The supernumerary teeth were extracted
to avoid discomfort and teeth grinding.
Dental radiograph right side before
dental extraction of supernumerary tooth.
Dental radiograph right side after
dental extraction of supernumerary tooth.
Dental radiograph of left side before
dental extraction of supernumerary tooth.
Dental radiograph of the left side after
dental extraction of supernumerary tooth.
The owner of the above cat was excited to report that the "teeth grinding" behavior ended after the supernumerary teeth were surgically removed. She also reported that the cat seems playful, more happy and has developed a remarkable purr never heard previously.
Small breeds of dogs commonly present with teeth that appear to be missing that have failed to erupt.
This lower right premolar appears to be missing.
Dental radiograph demonstrating a
malpositioned, embedded first premolar tooth.
Photograph of the clinical appearance
of the embedded premolar tooth.
Same dog, with the same presentation
on the lower left premolar area.
Dental radiograph confirms the embedded tooth.
Clinical photo of embeded tooth.
Check out oral cysts for more information.
Dog with abnormal tooth development.
This dog had multiple problems.
Incomplete "twinning" upper incisor.
Dog with supernumerary upper fourth premolar tooth.
Mixed dentition (baby and adult teeth)
with supernumerary left upper fourth
premolar tooth.
Supernumerary secondary (adult) left
upper fourth premolar tooth (close up view).
After the right upper fourth premolar was
surgically extracted, the impacted supernumerary
tooth was exposed and carefully extracted.
Great caution is needed to avoid injury to
blood vessels, nerves or the eye.
Dog having persistent primary teeth.
Persistent primary (baby) teeth with
secondary (adult) teeth is evident.
Persistent primary (baby) teeth result
in crowding and malocclusion.
Cat Dental Care
Dog Dental Care
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