Supernumerary teeth are extra teeth within the mouth. These can be retained deciduous teeth, or can actually be permanents.
Retained deciduous teeth are commonly seen in small dog breeds, including miniature poodles and Yorkshire terriers. In these dogs, the deciduous canine teeth have the greatest propensity for remaining behind. Such retained teeth can crowd the permanent ones, creating abnormal eruption pathways. In addition, because of their close proximity with their permanent counterparts, these extra teeth can serve as niduses for dental calculus buildup and infection. As long as the eruption pattern for the corresponding permanent tooth is not being interfered with, most veterinarians will postpone removal of the retained tooth (teeth) until another elective procedure, such as neutering or teeth cleaning, is performed. However, if the permanent tooth is being interfered with in any way, immediate removal is recommended.
In rare instances, duplicated permanent teeth, consisting of one or two isolated ones, or an entire arcade, can erupt. Removal of these permanent supernumerary teeth is seldom necessary unless they interfere with the normal biting action of the dog. Because of the genetic predisposition of this condition, affected dogs should not be bred.
Retained deciduous teeth are commonly seen in small dog breeds, including miniature poodles and Yorkshire terriers. In these dogs, the deciduous canine teeth have the greatest propensity for remaining behind. Such retained teeth can crowd the permanent ones, creating abnormal eruption pathways. In addition, because of their close proximity with their permanent counterparts, these extra teeth can serve as niduses for dental calculus buildup and infection. As long as the eruption pattern for the corresponding permanent tooth is not being interfered with, most veterinarians will postpone removal of the retained tooth (teeth) until another elective procedure, such as neutering or teeth cleaning, is performed. However, if the permanent tooth is being interfered with in any way, immediate removal is recommended.
In rare instances, duplicated permanent teeth, consisting of one or two isolated ones, or an entire arcade, can erupt. Removal of these permanent supernumerary teeth is seldom necessary unless they interfere with the normal biting action of the dog. Because of the genetic predisposition of this condition, affected dogs should not be bred.
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