'hyperdontia' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'hyper' and 'odont-' (from 'odous'), where 'hyper-' meant 'over' and 'odont-' meant 'tooth'.

'hyperdontia' was formed in New Latin/medical usage from Greek components (compare New Latin 'hyperodontia') and entered modern English as the technical term 'hyperdontia'.

Initially it literally meant 'over-tooth' (an excess of teeth); over time it has remained a medical term meaning the condition of having extra teeth.