Life Science Encyclopedia

The phenomenon of gemination arises when two teeth develop from one tooth bud and, as a result, the patient has a larger tooth but a normal number of teeth overall, in contrast to fusion, where the patient would appear to be missing one tooth. Fused teeth arise through union of two normally separated tooth germs, and depending upon the stage of development of the teeth at the time of union, it may be either complete or incomplete. On some occasions, two independent pulp chambers and root canals can be seen. However, fusion can also be the union of a normal tooth bud to a supernumerary tooth germ. In these cases, the number of teeth is also normal and differentiation from gemination may be very difficult, if not impossible. In geminated teeth, division is usually incomplete and results in a large tooth crown that has a single root and a single canal. Both gemination and fusion are prevalent in primary dentition, with incisors being more affected.

Related abnormalities of the dentition

• Amelogenesis imperfecta
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta
• Hyperdontia - More than the average number of teeth
• Anodontia - Lack of tooth development

References

• Peirera AJ, Fidel RA, Fidel SR. Maxillary Lateral Incisor with Two Root Canals: Fusion, Gemination or Dens invaginatus? Braz Dent J (2000) 11(2): 141-146.