Dealing with teeth-related issues is just one tiny part of parenting, but it can feel like a lot at times. From soothing a teething infant to helping little ones brush and floss, to guiding them through losing their baby teeth, there are many phases kids and caregivers walk through together. And don't even get us started on orthodontics.
Although the typical teeth stuff can be a grind, at least most parents don't have to deal with their kids growing too many teeth. One little boy in India faced a rare condition in which he produced hundreds of extra tooth-like growths in his mouth. His X-ray is a thing of nightmares.
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A 7-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital due to swelling and pain near his molars.
In 2019, a 7-year-old boy was admitted to a hospital in Chennai, India, CNN reported. He experienced swelling and pain near his molars. However, neither his parents nor his doctors were prepared for what they would find.
An X-ray revealed the problem.
The young boy had his jaw X-rayed. What doctors found was a sac in his lower jaw filled with "abnormal" teeth. In July 2017, the 7-year-old underwent surgery to remove the tooth-filled-sac. The surgery took four to five hours to complete.
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More than 500 teeth were removed.
Dr. Prathiba Ramani, head of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, described the findings to CNN.
“There were a total of 526 teeth ranging from 0.1 millimeters [.004 inches] to 15 millimeters [0.6 inches]," she explained. "Even the smallest piece had a crown, root and enamel coat indicating it was a tooth,” she said.
The boy had a condition called compound composite odontoma.
The boy was diagnosed with a condition called compound composite odontoma, notes the West Indian Medical Journal. Essentially, he had a benign growth made of dental tissue. The boy is reportedly doing well today.
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There have been similar cases of extra teeth.
A similar case happened more recently in India. In 2021, 17-year-old Nitish Kumar had 82 extra teeth removed from his mouth. It took three hours for his surgeon to complete the extraction in Bihar, India, but the operation was a success.
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
