MULTIPLE DENS-INVAGINATUS AFFECTING MAXILLARY LATERAL INCISORS AND A SUPERNUMERARY TOOTH

Dens invaginatus is a developmental variation resulting from an altera tion in the normal growth pattern of the dental papilla of a tooth. Th is anomaly occurs predominantly in maxillary permanent lateral incisor s. Multiple occurrence in maxillary incisor teeth in the same patient has frequently been reported, and examination of bilateral teeth for t he anomaly is often carried out routinely. This paper reports an unusu al case of multiple invaginations, including dens invaginatus affectin g maxillary lateral incisors and a supernumerary tooth and minor invag inations of the upper canines. Moreover, the case illustrates the impo rtance of examining all the teeth in patients who present with dens in vaginatus and palatal pits in incisors and canines. The possibility th at the supernumerary tooth had resulted from gemination of the lateral incisor tooth germ is discussed.