An ectopic tooth in the eyelid discovered in India: first case in the world

A 16-year-old boy in India was discovered to have an ectopic tooth in his eyelid. This is reported by a study published in the journal Ophthalmology, according to which it is the first and only case in the world. The patient, who had been suffering from swelling above his eye for some time, went to hospital and, there, doctors detected two unusual white, pointed protrusions under his eyebrow. Ectopic teeth, which develop in a location other than the dental arch, have been observed in different areas of the face, such as the maxillary sinus, the nasal cavity or under the eye. But, as Dr. Meghana Tanwar, co-author of the study, pointed out, no case had ever been described in that specific location.

The case in India

At first, doctors had hypothesized the presence of a teratoma, a rare type of tumor that can develop in different types of tissue, including bone and dental tissue. But, through a computed tomography scan, they were able to clarify the nature of the problem. “The hyperdense structure was well defined with crown-root morphology originating from the left orbital roof, extending into the pre-septal space and projecting externally,” the doctors explained in the case report. The patient subsequently underwent surgery and the tooth, a mature canine, was removed. "This was an unprecedented case, not only for us but for the entire world. We were very surprised," Tanwar said.

What is an ectopic tooth

An ectopic tooth is a tooth that develops in a position other than that normally expected in the dental arch. The phenomenon can affect both milk and permanent teeth, although it is particularly frequent in permanent teeth, such as the upper canines. There can be various causes, including lack of space in the arch, the position of neighboring teeth and some characteristics of dental development. In other cases, however, it involves developmental disorders, physical trauma, infections or genetic factors. An ectopic tooth does not necessarily cause symptoms but, when its position interferes with other teeth, it can cause problems with eruption, crowding or, in certain circumstances, damage the surrounding structures.

See also

Milan, new genetic mutation discovered at San Raffaele hospital