An Intranasal Ectopic Tooth In A Child

A supernumerary tooth refers to a duplication of teeth in the normal series. It is a developmental anomaly, most commonly located in the maxillary anterior region. However, supernumerary teeth ectopically positioned in the nasal cavity are rarely reported. Previous literature has described symptoms including nasal obstruction, nasal septum deviation, nasal abscess, and epistaxis. Surgical extraction may help alleviate symptoms and prevent potential complications. This article presents a case of endoscopic removal of an ectopic supernumerary tooth in the nasal cavity. A 10-year-old boy was found to have an inverted supernumerary tooth in the anterior maxilla during routine dental radiographic examination. Further CT imaging revealed an additional supernumerary tooth located in the left nasal cavity. The child exhibited no obvious symptoms of nasal obstruction. Under nasal endoscopy, the ectopic tooth in the nasal cavity was observed with its crown exposed and the root covered by mucosa, connected only by a mucosal pedicle to the nasal lining. The mucosa surrounding the root was sent for pathological examination, which confirmed stratified squamous epithelium. The presence of stratified squamous epithelium surrounding the supernumerary tooth suggests that its ectopic location in the nasal cavity may be related to the displacement of oral epithelial tissue during embryonic development. Early diagnosis of ectopic supernumerary teeth can be achieved through clinical and radiographic examination. Endoscopic removal serves as an effective treatment approach, playing a significant role in preventing potential morbidity and complications associated with nasal foreign bodies.