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Under your nose: a rare finding during dissection provides insights into maxillary supernumerary teeth
Author(s) -
Redwood C,
Townsend GC,
Ghabriel M,
Brook AH
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12194
Subject(s) - maxillary lateral incisor , medicine , premolar , maxilla , anatomy , cadaver , crown (dentistry) , supernumerary tooth , dissection (medical) , supernumerary , dental anatomy , radiography , maxillary central incisor , dentigerous cyst , orthodontics , dentistry , molar , cyst , pathology , radiology
Background A supernumerary tooth was found during anatomical dissection. The position of this tooth, still impacted in the maxilla, and the associated pathology make this a rare case. Methods During dissection by dental students of the sagittally‐sectioned head of a cadaver, a supernumerary tooth was identified in the mid‐palatal area. Further dissection revealed a swelling with a thin bony covering related to the crown of the tooth. The maxilla was removed en bloc and radiographic examination, CT scanning, electron microscopy and histology were undertaken. Results The tooth had a crenulated occlusal surface and a single root. It was 25 mm posterior to the root apex of the permanent upper central incisor. The swelling, confirmed by radiographs and CT imaging to be associated with the crown, occupied approximately one‐third of the maxillary sinus. The 3D shape of the cystic lesion was visualized by a composite digital movie. Conclusions The crown form, position of the tooth and the associated dentigerous cyst suggested it was a palatally developing supernumerary premolar which had been displaced to the palatal midline by the expanding cyst. This rare case highlights the learning and teaching opportunities available during dissection, showing important variations in both development and clinical anatomy.