My adult teeth grew behind baby teeth that never fell out. I’m 25 with an extra set of upper and lower teeth. I am so self-conscious. My mom could never afford to get my teeth fixed. Now I can do something about it myself. What can I expect? Will I need braces, teeth pulled out, or both? Thank you. Justyce from SC
Justyce,
Thank you for contacting Dr. Pumphrey’s office. He would need to examine your teeth and take x-rays to determine the condition and position of your primary and permanent teeth.
What Is the Treatment When Permanent Teeth Grow Behind Primary Teeth?
The treatment depends on the situation when permanent teeth grow behind primary teeth. A few scenarios are below:
Resolving permanent teeth that grew behind primary teeth may require some extractions and dental implants
- All your permanent teeth are present – A dentist or periodontist may remove all your primary teeth.
- Your teeth are crowded – Some permanent teeth may require extraction to prevent crowding in your mouth. You may need braces, too.
- Some permanent teeth are in the wrong position – Primary teeth guide permanent teeth into place, but if your primary teeth never fell out, crowded teeth may need braces for alignment.
- Some permanent teeth are missing – After removing the primary teeth, a periodontist (gum and teeth specialist) can replace missing permanent teeth with dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a specialist places in your jawbone. After your jawbone and the dental implant fuse, a dentist will attach a crown to the implant. The implants will look like natural teeth emerging through your gums.
How to Prevent Crowding When Primary Teeth Do Not Fall Out
When primary teeth do not fall out, the best practice is to remove them. Otherwise, permanent teeth will erupt in an incorrect position. A proactive approach can minimize crowding and the need for braces later in life.
We recommend scheduling an evaluation with a dentist to determine which specialists can help you restore your smile.
Dr. David Pumphrey, an Atlanta periodontist, sponsors this post. A periodontist is a specialist with two years of post-graduate training in gum and jawbone health. Dr. Pumphrey offers high-quality, affordable implant dentures.
