Congenital epulis - congenital granular cell lesion: a case report.

Neumann first described congenital epulis (CE) of newborn in 1871. CE occurs at birth and has a striking predilection for females. It is most frequently located on the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge. CE clinically appears as a pedunculated protuberant mass. In cases with large lesions mechanical oral and nasal obstruction can impair fetal deglutition and neonatal respiratory efforts resulting in polyhydramnios prenatally or respiratory impairment postnatally. Histologically CE shows characteristic large cells with granular cytoplasm and spindle cells resembling fibroblasts. The exact histiogenesis is still uncertain, various theories of origin are epithelial, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, pericytes, fibroblast, smooth muscle cells and nerve related cells. A newborn female child with CE in the maxillary alveolar ridge reported to our institution is presented with investigation, management and follow-up.

Supernumerary roots.

Supernumerary roots are one of the development anomalies pertaining to the tooth root morphology. It is generally well known that the deciduous and permanent anterior teeth have a single root. Maxillary molars have three roots and mandibular molars have two roots. Pertaining to the premolars, except for the maxillary first premolars all other premolars have a single roots. These supernumerary roots may be due to the disturbances of the Hertwig's epithelial root sheath forming the root. Cases have been reported where in both the deciduous and permanent dentition exhibiting supernumerary roots. Here with we are presenting cases of supernumerary roots in permanent teeth involving maxillary third molars, mandibular first, second molars and mandibular second premolars.

Regional odontodysplasia (Ghost teeth). A case report.

Regional odontodysplasia is a rare development anomaly affecting the teeth with an unknown etiology. This dental abnormality involves the hard tissues of the teeth that are derived from both epithelial (enamel) and mesenchymal (dentine & cementum) components of the tooth forming apparatus. Teeth in a region or quadrant of maxilla or mandible are affected to the extent that they exhibit short roots, wide open apical foramen and large pulp chamber, the thinness and poor mineralisation qualities of th enamel and dentine layers have given rise to a faint radiolucent image, hence the term "Ghost teeth". Both the permanent teeth and the deciduous teeth are affected. Females are more commonly affected than males. There is a maxillary predominance (2.5:1) with a predilection for the anterior teeth. Eruption of the affected teeth is delayed or does not occur. Because of the poor quality of the affected teeth, they cannot be rehabilitated for functional use therefore the treatment of choice is extraction with prosthetic replacement. However, necrosis and facial cellulitis appear to be a complication if these teeth are retained. A unique case of regional odontodysplasia affecting the entire right quadrant of mandible is reported here.