There is an old school of thought that patients in need of orthodontic treatment should wait until all of their adult teeth have erupted.
But what happens when some of those adult teeth never erupt? Patients can needlessly prolong treatment, making treatment time longer, said orthodontics expert.
That is one reason why the Orthodontists recommend that children receive an initial orthodontic evaluation by age 7. In addition to early treatment that can lessen the time a child spends in future treatment, an orthodontist can confirm that a child has all of his or her adult teeth.
Congenitally missing teeth, also referred to as tooth agenesis, occurs in almost 20 percent of the population, according to an article on dentalresource.org, a dental health Web site.
The bulk of these cases are missing third molars, or wisdom teeth. Most people are born with four wisdom teeth, but some can have just one, two or three.
Studies shows that, less than 3 percent of the American population has missing upper lateral incisors, while slightly more than 3 percent lacks second molars. Causes of agenesis can be endocrine, hereditary and environmental.
Dental Implants
There are ways to remedy the problem of congenitally missing teeth. Fixed bridges or dentures can restore a smile, but some experts prefer dental implants, especially in children. Implants are sturdy, look and feel like natural teeth and can last for years when properly cared for.
The process of getting dental implants varies according to the type of implant and the condition of the patient's jawbone. Implants can't be placed until the patient stops growing, which is at about age 18. Experts maintain the space where the tooth should be so there is room for the implant once it is placed.
For youth with healthy bone, the procedure is fairly simple and involves a metal anchor, a metal extension and a porcelain crown. The anchor is surgically placed into the patient's jawbone to act as the tooth's root. Over time, the anchor fuses to the bone and an extension is placed on top of it, which will be used to hold the crown once it is placed.
Porcelain crowns have the look and feel of natural teeth and enable orthodontists to complete orthodontic treatment in a manner that renders optimum results.