What Is Macrodontia?

People have teeth of different sizes and shapes, since these, in general, are proportional to the size of the jaw. But some individuals may develop teeth that are larger or smaller than normal—an issue called macrodontia. Many people have altered tooth size; their teeth may be larger or smaller than normal. In this comprehensive post, we will explain what macrodontia is, its characteristics, and how to treat it.

What Is Macrodontia?

For a clinician to diagnose that there is a true anomaly in the size of the teeth, there must be a disproportion between them and the maxilla. A dentist will conduct a few tests to determine whether there is pathology that needs to be addressed and will let you know if your child needs it. The macrodontia is also known as megadontia. This anomaly, like the microdontia, is hereditary. It consists of teeth larger than normal.

Types of Macrodontia

This anomaly can be divided into two main types:

• Partial macrodontism: When there are insulated dental teeth that are larger than the others. And it has deformities in the crown. The teeth that usually present this anomaly are the canines, the incisors, and the third molars. Partial macrodontia is increasingly common in children, and sometimes the cause is not well known. But it is usually corrected with orthodontics and tooth carving.
• Total macrodontism: This anomaly occurs when all teeth are larger than usual. It is related to disorders such as gigantism and hemihypertrophy.

Possible Solutions

In addition to affecting the aesthetics of your mouth, macrodontia also causes crowding. This is due to the disproportionate size of the teeth. If this is not corrected in time, it can lead to other consequences, such as tooth wear from the pieces rubbing together.

For this reason, it is always necessary to resort to an orthodontic treatment in conjunction with some of the following options to correct the size:

• Stripping or selective carving: It is a polishing and carving technique that focuses on reducing the crown width of certain teeth. This way, they can have the appropriate space between them.
• Dental crown: Sometimes, after carving, a crown is designed to improve the appearance of the tooth with respect, so that it does not clash with others.

Need more information on macrodontia, or think you may be suffering from this condition? Schedule a visit with our expert team today!