An ectopic tooth, also known as an impacted tooth, is a

tooth A tooth (: teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, tea ...

that develops in an abnormal position ( ectopia) and fails to erupt into its normal location in the

oral cavity A mouth also referred to as the oral is the body orifice through which many animals ingest food and vocalize. The body cavity immediately behind the mouth opening, known as the oral cavity (or in Latin), is also the first part of the alime ...

. Ectopic teeth can cause a variety of symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and infection, and they can lead to more serious complications if left untreated. This condition can affect both

deciduous teeth Deciduous teeth or primary teeth, also informally known as baby teeth, milk teeth, or temporary teeth,Fehrenbach, MJ and Popowics, T. (2026). ''Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy'', 6th edition, Elsevier, page 287–296. are ...

and

permanent teeth Permanent teeth or adult teeth are the second set of teeth formed in diphyodont mammals. In humans and old world simians, there are thirty-two permanent teeth, consisting of six maxillary and six mandibular molars, four maxillary and four mandib ...

, although it is more common in the permanent teeth. Ectopic teeth may commonly occur within the dentate region of the jaws. Other common sites for ectopic teeth include the

maxillary sinus The pyramid-shaped maxillary sinus (or antrum of Nathaniel Highmore (surgeon), Highmore) is the largest of the paranasal sinuses, located in the maxilla. It drains into the middle meatus of the noseHuman Anatomy, Jacobs, Elsevier, 2008, page 209- ...

, the

nasal cavity The nasal cavity is a large, air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face. The nasal septum divides the cavity into two cavities, also known as fossae. Each cavity is the continuation of one of the two nostrils. The nas ...

, the

mandibular condyle The condyloid process or condylar process is the process on the human and other mammalian species' mandibles that ends in a condyle, the mandibular condyle. It is thicker than the coronoid process of the mandible and consists of two portions: the ...

, and the

palate The palate () is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly sep ...

. The cause of ectopic teeth is not always clear, but it may be related to genetic factors or developmental abnormalities. Diagnosis of ectopic teeth typically involves a comprehensive dental examination, including X-rays and other imaging tests. Treatment options for ectopic teeth depend on the location and severity of the condition, as well as the age and overall health of the patient. In some cases, observation and monitoring may be sufficient, while in other cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the ectopic tooth and prevent further complications. In addition to the physical symptoms, ectopic teeth can also have psychological and social impacts on affected individuals, particularly if the condition affects their appearance or causes them embarrassment or self-consciousness. As with any dental or medical condition, early diagnosis and treatment of ectopic teeth can help to prevent complications and improve outcomes for patients.

Causes

The cause of developing an ectopic tooth is not yet exactly understood. However, they can result from trauma, infection, developmental anomalies such as

cleft palate A cleft lip contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. A cleft palate occurs when the palate (the roof of the mouth) contains an opening into the nose. The ...

, pathologic conditions such as

dentigerous cyst A dentigerous cyst, also known as a follicular cyst, is an epithelial-lined developmental cyst formed by accumulation of fluid between the reduced enamel epithelium and the crown of an unerupted tooth. It is formed when there is an alteration in ...

iatrogenic Iatrogenesis is the causation of a disease, a harmful complication, or other ill effect by any medical activity, including diagnosis, intervention, error, or negligence." Iatrogenic", ''Merriam-Webster.com'', Merriam-Webster, Inc., accessed 27 ...

idiopathic An idiopathic disease is any disease with an unknown cause or mechanism of apparent spontaneous origin. For some medical conditions, one or more causes are somewhat understood, but in a certain percentage of people with the condition, the cause ...

factors.

References

Developmental tooth disorders {{dentistry-stub