Many children have either fewer or more than the normal number of teeth . Sometimes the cause is hereditary, but often the cause is unknown. Often no treatment is needed unless the condition threatens to cause malocclusion. If necessary, extra teeth can be removed. The gaps caused by missing teeth can be filled with bridges of artificial teeth.
Many children have individual teeth that are abnormally small.
Undersized teeth may be unsightly, but they are usually harmless. Malocclusion Teeth that erupt in perfect alignment are the exception, not the rule. Often the basic problem lies not in the teeth but in the jaw bones , which are mismatched in size or shape. The standard remedy is orthodontic treatment, using mechanical devices to alter the jaws, teeth, or both. The jaw bones may be lengthened, reduced, or otherwise reshaped.