What is the clinical significance of a supernumerary tooth in a dental examination?

A supernumerary tooth refers to any extra tooth that occurs in addition to the normal set of teeth. The clinical significance of a supernumerary tooth primarily revolves around its potential effects on the dental arch. In many cases, supernumerary teeth can lead to crowding or displacement of adjacent teeth. This occurs because the additional tooth may take up space that would otherwise be used by the regular complement of teeth, potentially leading to misalignment, difficulty in eruption of nearby teeth, or malocclusion.

While some supernumerary teeth can be asymptomatic and may not immediately necessitate intervention, their presence often complicates the dental landscape. In particular, as the child develops and as their permanent teeth erupt, the problems associated with crowding can worsen, necessitating orthodontic evaluation or intervention.

Although some supernumerary teeth might be associated with certain genetic conditions, it is not always the case, and therefore this is not the main clinical significance. Some supernumerary teeth may remain in place without causing issues, meaning that they are not always treated with extraction. As such, care should be taken to assess each case individually, but the primary concern with supernumerary teeth remains how they may disrupt the normal anatomy and positioning of surrounding teeth.