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==Abnormal Tooth Shape or Structure==
 
==Abnormal Tooth Shape or Structure==
*'''Enamel dysplasia''' can be caused by systemic diseases (for example, viral infection such as [[Canine Distemper|distemper]]) or trauma during development and also by hereditary or nutritional factors. Radiographs should be made to determine whether the [[Enamel Organ#Root|tooth root]] [[Tooth Development|development]] was also affected.
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*'''Enamel dysplasia''' can be caused by systemic diseases (for example, viral infection such as [[Canine Distemper|distemper]]) or trauma during development, and also by hereditary or nutritional factors. Radiographs should be made to determine whether the [[Enamel Organ#Root|tooth root]] [[Tooth Development|development]] was also affected.
*'''Supernumerary roots''' most commonly affect maxillary third premolar teeth in both dogs and cats. Most are not associated with pathology and may be considered a variation of normal. It can be clinically significant if it is associated with [[Periodontal Disease|periodontitis]], and during extraction or endodontic treatment of the tooth.
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*'''Supernumerary roots''' most commonly affect maxillary third premolar teeth in both dogs and cats. Most are not associated with pathology and may be considered a variation of normal. These can be clinically significant if associated with [[Periodontal Disease|periodontitis]], and during extraction or endodontic treatment of the tooth.
 
*'''Fusion''' of two tooth germs results in a single large tooth and one fewer tooth in the arch.
 
*'''Fusion''' of two tooth germs results in a single large tooth and one fewer tooth in the arch.
*'''Gemination''' is the attempt of a single [[Enamel Organ|enamel organ]] to make two teeth. The result is a tooth with two [[Enamel Organ#Crown|crowns]] on one [[Enamel Organ#Root|root]]. In single-rooted teeth, this cannot be differentiated from the fusion of the root of a normal tooth with that of a supernumerary tooth. In multirooted teeth, fusion of supernumerary teeth is more apparent. When complete separation forms two teeth from one tooth germ, the result is a type of supernumerary tooth called “twinning”. Supernumerary mandibular fourth premolar tooth are commonly bilateral in cats.
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*'''Gemination''' is the attempt of a single [[Enamel Organ|enamel organ]] to make two teeth. The result is a tooth with two [[Enamel Organ#Crown|crowns]] on one [[Enamel Organ#Root|root]]. In single-rooted teeth, this cannot be differentiated from the fusion of the root of a normal tooth with that of a supernumerary tooth. In multirooted teeth, fusion of supernumerary teeth is more apparent. When complete separation forms two teeth from one tooth germ, the result is a type of supernumerary tooth called “twinning”. Supernumerary mandibular fourth premolar teeth are commonly bilateral in cats.
 
*'''Convergent roots''' occur most commonly on mandibular first molar teeth in small-breed dogs. Affected teeth frequently develop endodontic disease. The clinical crowns of affected molar teeth often appear normal except for a developmental groove close to the mid-buccal gingival margin. Premolar teeth can also have convergent roots, sometimes with incomplete separation of the roots during development.
 
*'''Convergent roots''' occur most commonly on mandibular first molar teeth in small-breed dogs. Affected teeth frequently develop endodontic disease. The clinical crowns of affected molar teeth often appear normal except for a developmental groove close to the mid-buccal gingival margin. Premolar teeth can also have convergent roots, sometimes with incomplete separation of the roots during development.
 
*'''Dens in dente''', or '''dens invaginatus''', is an infolding of the developing tooth of varying severity that can result in periodontal problems and endodontic involvement.
 
*'''Dens in dente''', or '''dens invaginatus''', is an infolding of the developing tooth of varying severity that can result in periodontal problems and endodontic involvement.
 
*'''Enamel pearls''' are deposits of enamel on the root that sometimes have [[Enamel Organ#Dentin|dentin]] involvement and rarely [[Enamel Organ#Pulp|pulp]] as well. Because the [[Enamel Organ#Periodontal Ligament|periodontal ligament]] cannot attach to [[Enamel Organ#Enamel|enamel]], they may contribute to [[Periodontal Disease|periodontitis]].
 
*'''Enamel pearls''' are deposits of enamel on the root that sometimes have [[Enamel Organ#Dentin|dentin]] involvement and rarely [[Enamel Organ#Pulp|pulp]] as well. Because the [[Enamel Organ#Periodontal Ligament|periodontal ligament]] cannot attach to [[Enamel Organ#Enamel|enamel]], they may contribute to [[Periodontal Disease|periodontitis]].
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==Abnormal Tooth Number==
 
==Abnormal Tooth Number==
 
'''Hypodontia''', or missing teeth, usually presents no clinical problems for dogs and cats but the missing tooth area should be radiogarphed to confirm that the tooth is truly missing and not unerupted or impacted, which could potentially lead to complications.
 
'''Hypodontia''', or missing teeth, usually presents no clinical problems for dogs and cats but the missing tooth area should be radiogarphed to confirm that the tooth is truly missing and not unerupted or impacted, which could potentially lead to complications.