Hyperdontia in children--case reports.

Dental anomalies are craniofacial abnormalities of form, function or position of the teeth, bones and tissues of the jaw and mouth. Dental anomalies can range from missing or stained teeth to cleft palates. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) estimates that in the United States a baby is born every hour with a craniofacial defect. Dental anomalies are caused by hereditary, systemic, traumatic or local factors. The abnormalities of the teeth can be divided into those that are influenced by environmental forces and those that are idiopathic or appear hereditary in nature. In many cases the cause and effect are obvious. In others the primary nature of the problem is less distinct.