Microdontia is a condition in which one or more teeth appear smaller than normal. In the generalized form, all teeth are involved. In the localized form, only a few teeth are involved. The most common teeth affected are the upper lateral incisors and third molars. Teeth affected by microdontia may also have abnormal shape, and the abnormal size may affect the whole tooth, or only a part of the tooth. Definition
Males tend to have larger teeth than females, and tooth size also varies by race. Abnormal tooth size is defined by some as when the dimensions are more than 2 standard deviations from the average. Microdontia is when the teeth are abnormally small, and macrodontia is when the teeth are abnormally large. Classification
There are 3 types of microdontia:

True generalized
All the teeth are smaller than the normal size. True generalized microdontia is very rare, and occurs in pituitary dwarfism. Due to decreased levels of growth hormone the teeth fail to develop to a normal size. Relative generalized
All the teeth are normal size but appear smaller relative to enlarged jaws. Relative generalized microdontia may be the result of inheritance of a large jaw from one parent, and normal sized teeth from the other. Localized (focal)
Localized microdontia is also termed focal, or pseudo-microdontia. A single tooth is smaller than normal. Localized microdontia is far more common than generalized microdontia, and is often associated with hypodontia (reduced number of teeth).
It is also a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat primary and certain secondary carnitine-deficiency syndromes secondary to inherited diseases. Drug interactions and adverse effects
Carnitine interacts with pivalate-conjugated antibiotics such as pivampicillin. Chronic administration of these antibiotics increases the excretion of pivaloyl-carnitine, which can lead to carnitine depletion. Treatment with the anticonvulsants valproic acid, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or carbamazepine significantly reduces blood levels of carnitine.When taken in the amount of roughly 3 grams (0.11 oz) per day, carnitine may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and body odor smelling like fish. Other possible adverse effects include skin rash, muscle weakness, or seizures in people with epilepsy. History
Levocarnitine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a new molecular entity under the brand name Carnitor on December 27, 1985. See also
Acetylcarnitine
Gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase
Glycine Propionyl-l-Carnitine (GPLC)
Meldonium
Systemic primary carnitine deficiency


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