Congenitally Missing Teeth
At Revive Dental and Implant Center, we provide you with the information and dental care you need to maintain the highest standard of oral health. While we often see patients about their cavities, damaged teeth, and other minor concerns, we are also fully prepared to help you with the big problems. For example, if you or your child have teeth that, for some reason never appeared when they should have, you may have what we call congenitally missing teeth. We can help explain to you why this is and, after you come in for an appointment to talk with us, we can develop a treatment plan made specifically for you to address these unwanted gaps in you or your child’s mouth.
What Is A Congenitally Missing Tooth?
What makes congenitally missing teeth unique is that they are not impacted or hiding in your gums. They simply never appeared at all. This occurs and becomes noticeable during childhood when your other permanent teeth are emerging. Often we can ascribe these absences to a family trait where those in your family miss one or two teeth. But sometimes the cause is an unrelated genetic condition. If this pertains to you, you are not alone, as up to 20 percent of adults are missing some of their teeth congenitally.
Which Teeth Are Affected?
Though you might think that any teeth could be affected by unwanted family traits or genetic conditions, these cases usually target only a few of your teeth with surprising consistency. The second premolars and lateral incisors are the teeth that we are most likely to see missing. The second premolars are between the largest teeth in the back of your mouth. Meanwhile, your lateral incisors are those you find on either side of your two front teeth. However, while these are usually the teeth you see gone, there are some genetic conditions that can cause more teeth to be absent that can also deform the appearance of your other existing teeth.
How Are Congenitally Missing Teeth Treated?
Because congenitally missing teeth can cause neighboring teeth to become less stable and move out of their proper positions, leaving the gaps in place can, over time, inhibit the support of your jaw and possibly even your ability to speak and chew food. Consequently, you should come in for treatment so we can fill those gaps with replacement teeth. Our first step will be to take x-rays of your mouth so we can make sure that the teeth are actually gone and not hiding in your gums. We will then talk with you about your gap-filling options, from dentures, partial bridges, or dental implants. With these tools, we can fill out your teeth and give you a full and healthy smile.
A healthy and full mouth is essential for your long-term dental health, and we would like to enable you and your child to be as healthy as possible moving forward. If you think that you or your child may have congenitally missing teeth and would like to learn more, call us today at (304) 467-4265.