Watching your child’s teeth come in is an exciting milestone, but sometimes, a tooth (or a few) just doesn’t show up. This is called congenitally missing teeth. It’s not very common, but when it happens, it’s good to understand what it means and what you can do about it.
If your child or someone you know has missing teeth, this guide can help. We’ll go over what this condition is and how to manage it.
Why Do Some Kids Have Missing Teeth?
Congenitally missing teeth happen when a child is born without one or more teeth. Normally, each person has 20 baby teeth and 32 permanent teeth.
But sometimes, nature has other plans. This can happen to anyone, but it can also run in families and be passed down from a parent or grandparent.
Missing teeth can affect both baby and permanent teeth in two ways. Some children are born without some of both sets, while others have baby teeth that never get replaced because the permanent ones just don’t grow in. While this can affect any tooth, the most commonly missing ones are:
- Wisdom teeth
- Upper and lower second premolars (the teeth just before the molars)
- Upper lateral incisors (the smaller teeth beside the front center teeth)
How to Tell If a Child Has Missing Teeth
The most reliable way to find out if a child has missing teeth is through a dental X-ray at the dentist’s office. X-rays can show whether permanent teeth are developing under the gums, even if they haven’t come in yet.
Since teeth don’t always follow a set timeline, getting a clear picture of what’s happening beneath the surface can be really helpful.
You might be able to spot some signs by looking inside your child’s mouth, but this isn’t always accurate. Teeth grow at different rates, and some just take longer to appear.
In some cases, certain teeth might not develop at all. That’s why relying only on what you can see may not give you the full picture.
Read more: Why Dental X-rays are Important for Children’s Oral Health
Ways to Treat Congenitally Missing Teeth
It’s always best to spot this condition early so the dentist can keep an eye on it and start figuring out a treatment plan for the future. Every kid is different, so the treatment plan will depend on their specific situation. The dentist will look at things like which teeth are missing, how many, and the child’s overall dental health.
One common way to address this condition is to start having your child see an orthodontist early, around the age of 7 or 8, so that a plan for the future can be made.
This could mean using a retainer with a fake tooth attached to hold the space open until adulthood, when a more permanent fix, such as a dental implant or bridge, can be created.
Implants involve placing a small titanium post into the jawbone to act as a tooth root, with a crown on top that looks like a natural tooth. Bridges, on the other hand, use the neighboring teeth to support a replacement tooth that fills the gap.
In many other instances, especially if your child is overcrowded dentally, missing teeth can be a good thing, as there is not enough space in a crowded mouth for all teeth.
We have seen many cases of missing teeth never require replacements, and the orthodontist is able to correct the overcrowding with braces without having to create room for the missing tooth!
It can be a little worrying for parents to find out their child has missing teeth, but there are ways to help. The best first step is regular checkups with a pediatric dentist.
Routine visits to the dentist can catch this condition early and give the dentist time to monitor and figure out the best treatment options.
For families in Lafayette and surrounding areas looking for a trusted pediatric dentist, we’re here to help. Reach out anytime to schedule an appointment or call us with any questions you may have!