Supernumerary teeth are frequently found in the anterior portion of the maxilla and develop as a result of abnormal
proliferation of the dental lamina during tooth germ formation, caused by genetic or environmental factors.
They may result in various complications, such as eruption interference, displacement, rotation of adjacent
teeth, diastema, eruption into the nasal cavity, and development of dentigerous cyst.
The optimal time for surgical extraction of supernumerary teeth has been a controversial issue. Someone prefer
early surgical extraction because supernumerary teeth can cause eruption interference and displacement of
adjacent teeth, eventually altering occlusion. Others prefer to delay surgical extraction until 8~10 years of age
in consideration of root maturation of the adjacent teeth and also patient’s behavior. When surgical extraction of
supernumerary teeth is postponed, there is possibility that impacted supernumerary teeth in the inverted or
horizontal position move toward the nasal cavity, hard palate, or premolar area. When such intraosseous tooth
migration is combined with the vertical growth of the maxilla, surgical approach becomes even harder.
Therefore, possibility of intraosseous tooth migration should be considered as an important factor when deciding
appropriate time for surgical extraction.
We are presenting cases of mesiodens which showed intraosseous migration during 2~3 years of follow-up period
since the first diagnosis had been made at the 6~7 years of age.