In what has been described as one of the most extraordinary medical cases in dental history, a 17-year-old boy from Mumbai, India, underwent a marathon seven-hour surgery to remove 232 teeth from his lower jaw.
Ashik Gavai had been suffering from persistent pain and swelling in his jaw for over a year before seeking medical attention. Upon examination at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, doctors identified a rare and complex condition known as a compound odontoma — a benign tumor composed of tooth-like structures. This abnormal growth had caused the formation of hundreds of extra teeth embedded within the jawbone.
“We were shocked to discover so many teeth lodged inside a single tumor. Some were tiny, some fully developed with enamel and roots,” said Dr. Sunanda Dhiware, head of the hospital’s dental department. “This is unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”
The surgical team, comprising oral surgeons and dental experts, carefully extracted the abnormal formations — including several that resembled full teeth — during the lengthy procedure. Despite the tumor’s non-cancerous nature, it had been obstructing the normal development of Ashik’s permanent teeth and causing severe discomfort.
Compound odontomas are exceptionally rare and often go undiagnosed until they cause visible swelling or pain. While there have been other recorded cases of multiple teeth extractions due to similar tumors, medical professionals at JJ Hospital believe this is the highest number of teeth ever removed from a single individual.
Ashik has since made a full recovery and was discharged with a treatment plan that includes continued dental monitoring. His case has drawn widespread attention from both the medical community and the public, highlighting a highly unusual anomaly in dental pathology.
“This case will be remembered not just for the surgical challenge it presented, but for its contribution to our understanding of odontogenic tumors,” added Dr. Dhiware.
