An 11-year-old girl from Brazil who visited the dentist to have a baby tooth extracted ended up becoming the subject of global medical discussion after an X-ray revealed she had a staggering 81 teeth inside her mouth. The rare condition stunned doctors and has since been published in a medical journal.
According to reports by Chosun Ilbo and VN Express on July 15, the girl, from Minas Gerais, initially sought dental care to remove an upper baby tooth. However, an X-ray scan uncovered the presence of 18 baby teeth, 32 permanent teeth, and an unusual 31 supernumerary teeth — bringing her total to 81.
Typically, an adult has 32 teeth. Any extra teeth that grow beyond this are called supernumerary teeth, with most cases involving only 1 or 2. Having as many as 31 extra teeth, as in this girl’s case, is extremely rare. These supernumerary teeth are usually hidden beneath the gums and can disrupt normal tooth development, cause misalignment, or even lead to cysts and other complications.
The case was documented by researchers at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora’s Dental Hospital and published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Using advanced imaging technology, doctors mapped out the exact location of each tooth. Genetic testing was also carried out to determine if the condition was linked to inherited disorders.
The results revealed the girl has a rare chromosomal mutation, although researchers could not definitively confirm its connection to the formation of supernumerary teeth. Since some of the extra teeth are deeply embedded or resemble regular teeth, immediate extraction could damage the jawbone.
To minimize risks and ensure the best long-term outcome, a multidisciplinary team — including orthodontists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists — has been formed to create a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan aimed at preserving her oral health and supporting proper dental alignment in the future.
