Fourth molars in the maxilla and mandible--a rare phenomenon

The occurrence of supernumerary teeth is not uncommon. The preferred location of the supernumerary teeth is in the maxilla, mostly incisors, followed by the molars. Supernumerary molars are divided into two types, depending on their location: distomolars and paramolars. Distomolars are supernumerary teeth that are distal to the third molars, while paramolars are supernumerary teeth on the side of the molars. The paper describes an unusual case of four distomolars. The two maxillary distomolars were unerupted, in a vertical position distal to the third molars. Their morphology was normal but they were smaller than the regular molars. The two mandibular distomolars were unerupted, in a horizontal position distal to the third molars. Their morphology was normal but they were smaller than the regular molars. Cases of four distomolars with normal morphology are extremely rare and have seldom been reported in the dental literature. The phenomenon is interesting especially considering the fact that in modern man, missing third molars are becoming a common finding.