
The movie Bohemian Rhapsody celebrates the iconic rock band Queen and its legendary lead vocalist, Freddie Mercury. But when we see pictures of the flamboyant singer, many fans both old and new may wonder—what made Freddie’s toothy smile look the way it did? Here’s the answer: The singer was born with four extra teeth at the back of his mouth, which caused his front teeth to be pushed forward, giving him a noticeable overbite.
The presence of extra teeth—more than 20 primary (baby) teeth or 32 adult teeth—is a relatively rare condition called hyperdontia. Sometimes this condition causes no trouble, and an extra tooth (or two) isn’t even recognized until the person has an oral examination. In other situations, hyperdontia can create problems in the mouth such as crowding, malocclusion (bad bite) and periodontal disease. That’s when treatment may be recommended.
Exactly what kind of treatment is needed? There’s a different answer for each individual, but in many cases the problem can be successfully resolved with tooth extraction (removal) and orthodontic treatment (such as braces). Some people may be concerned about having teeth removed, whether it’s for this problem or another issue. But in skilled hands, this procedure is routine and relatively painless.
Teeth aren’t set rigidly in the jawbone like posts in cement—they are actually held in place dynamically by a fibrous membrane called the periodontal ligament. With careful manipulation of the tooth, these fibers can be dislodged and the tooth can be easily extracted. Of course, you won’t feel this happening because extraction is done under anesthesia (often via a numbing shot). In addition, you may be given a sedative or anti-anxiety medication to help you relax during the procedure.
After extraction, some bone grafting material may be placed in the tooth socket and gauze may be applied to control bleeding; sutures (stitches) are sometimes used as well. You’ll receive instructions on medication and post-extraction care before you go home. While you will probably feel discomfort in the area right after the procedure, in a week or so the healing process will be well underway.
Sometimes, dental problems like hyperdontia need immediate treatment because they can negatively affect your overall health; at other times, the issue may be mainly cosmetic. Freddie Mercury declined treatment because he was afraid dental work might interfere with his vocal range. But the decision to change the way your smile looks is up to you; after an examination, we can help you determine what treatment options are appropriate for your own situation.
If you have questions about tooth extraction or orthodontics, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can read more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Simple Tooth Extraction” and “The Magic of Orthodontics.”
Comments:

Patient Education
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- dental implants (20)
- celebrity smiles (61)
- bridgework (1)
- dental injury (6)
- mouthguard (2)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- dental anxiety (1)
- TMJ Pain (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- oral hygiene (21)
- pediatric care (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (16)
- Dentures (10)
- oral health (16)
- tooth grinding (1)
- orthodontics (7)
- retainers (5)
- bad breath (1)
- wisdom teeth (6)
- x-rays (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- crowns (4)
- teeth whitening (5)
- braces (7)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- bulimia (1)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- porcelain veneers (2)
- veneers (4)
- nutrition (6)
- tooth decay (5)
- fluoride (2)
- missing teeth (3)
- mouth sores (1)
- dental emergency (1)
- sugar (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- dental bridges (2)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- toothache (2)
- tmj disorders (2)
- mouthguards (2)
- apioectomy (1)
- chipped tooth (3)
- dental bonding (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- orthodontic treatment (15)
- bonding (1)
- jaw pain (4)
- tmj (3)
- gum disease (16)
- laser dentistry (2)
- headgear (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- cosmetic contouring (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- cancer (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- tooth pain (3)
- teeth grinding (2)
- diabetes (1)
- gum recession (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- smoking (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- eating disorder (1)
- Dental Implant (4)
- apicoectomy (1)
- retainer (1)
- root canal treatment (5)
- tooth wear (1)
- extraction (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- TMJ/TMD (1)
- dental cleaning (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- Crowns and Bridges (2)
- root canal (1)
- fillings (1)
- Partial Dentures (1)
- Full Dentures (1)
- sealants (1)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- lingual braces (1)
- dental care (2)
- Dentist in Marietta GA (1)
- Bridges (1)