In some people, milk teeth do not fall out even though they are adults. In fact, milk teeth generally fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth at the age of 6 or 7 years. Know what causes it and how to treat it.
The condition of milk teeth that do not fall out until adulthood is known as the persistence of deciduous teeth. In general, the persistence of deciduous teeth is more common in the canines, second molars, and lateral incisors.
Causes of Milk Teeth Not Falling Out As An Adult
The main cause of the persistence of primary teeth is the absence of permanent teeth or permanent teeth that will replace the baby teeth. This condition is a genetic disorder of the teeth called hypodontia.
Apart from the absence of permanent teeth, there are a number of other factors that make baby teeth settle in the jaw, including:
- Ankylosis is a condition where the root of the tooth is attached to the supporting bone
- Hyperodontia or excessive number of baby teeth
- Impacted teeth or permanent teeth are unable to grow properly
- Gum inflammation
- Trauma and infection of the mouth
Not only that, the persistence of deciduous teeth can also occur due to disturbances in the endocrine glands, for example in hypothyroid conditions or decreased thyroid hormone production, so that permanent tooth growth becomes delayed.
How to treat baby teeth that haven't fallen out as an adult
To treat baby teeth that do not come out, it is necessary to have a dental examination first. This examination aims to determine the diagnosis, cause, and appropriate treatment plan according to the patient's persistent primary teeth.
The following are some of the measures to treat milk teeth that do not fall out:
1. Installation of dental crowns
Milk teeth that persist into adulthood will look smaller when compared to permanent teeth. This can disrupt a person's appearance and self-confidence, especially if the persistence of primary teeth occurs in the front teeth.
One of the treatments to overcome the persistence of primary teeth is the installation of dental crowns which aim to protect and improve the appearance of the baby teeth.
However, the installation of crowns can only be done when the condition of the baby teeth is still healthy and functioning properly. In addition, this action should also be done if there is no permanent tooth that can replace the milk tooth.
2. Extraction of milk teeth
The milk tooth extraction procedure can be done if the condition of the milk teeth can no longer be maintained or has caused health problems in the oral cavity.
For example, the persistence of deciduous teeth that causes the teeth to sag or overlap, so that bacteria can accumulate more easily and cause health problems in the teeth and mouth.
3. Installation of braces
To close the teeth after the baby tooth extraction procedure, the doctor may recommend the installation of braces. In addition, braces can also be installed to overcome the arrangement of teeth that are not neat or loose due to the persistence of primary teeth.
4. Dental implants
Another action that can be done after the extraction of milk teeth is the installation of dental implants. Implants are artificial tooth roots shaped like bolts that are implanted in the jaw to replace the roots of missing teeth.
The dental implant will then be placed on a dental crown to replace the extracted baby tooth. This procedure can be an option to treat gaps between teeth if braces cannot be placed due to the absence of permanent teeth that can replace the extracted baby teeth.
The Risks of Leaving Milk Teeth Not Falling Out As An Adult
Persistence of primary teeth that are not handled properly can be at risk of causing health problems, both in the process of tooth growth and on the health of the gums and mouth.
Some of the main problems caused by the persistence of primary teeth are:
Infraocclusion
Infraocclusion is a condition in which permanent teeth begin to grow next to baby teeth that have not yet fallen out. This makes the baby teeth lower in position and have a different shape from the permanent teeth next to them.
The difference in height between baby teeth and permanent teeth can cause other teething complications, such as crooked and imperfect teeth.
Occlusion trauma
Occlusal trauma is damage to the tissue around the teeth, such as the gums and the bone that supports the teeth, due to excessive pressure between the teeth. This condition occurs because the size of the baby teeth is different from the permanent teeth, causing the position of the upper and lower teeth to be misaligned or uneven.
Diastema
Diastema or estrangement between teeth occurs due to the small size of the baby teeth, causing the formation of gaps or gaps between one tooth and another. Diastema can cause the appearance of teeth and smile to be less attractive.
In addition to some of the developmental disorders of the teeth above, the persistence of deciduous teeth that do not get treatment can also cause various other health problems, such as cavities, gum infection or periodontitis, and loss of bone that supports teeth.
Therefore, if you have milk teeth that have not fallen out as an adult, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment. It is important to do this before the persistence of your primary teeth causes complications in your teeth and mouth.
