Baby teeth are the first set of teeth a person grows. A full set of adult teeth replaces most people’s baby teeth. In some instances, a person may have a baby tooth that does not fall out and remains until adulthood.
A person’s baby teeth are also
These teeth usually begin falling out around the age of 5 or 6. A person’s adult teeth, or permanent teeth, usually appear to fill the gap.
Some adults have retained baby teeth. This means that one or more of their baby teeth have not fallen out and remain in place in their mouth.
This article will explain how a person can tell if they still have baby teeth, what causes retained baby teeth, and treatment options.
Some adults retain one or more baby teeth, known as retained deciduous teeth. Around
Baby teeth in an adult can last for many years. However, they may become nonfunctional over time.
The most obvious difference between adult and baby teeth is their size. Baby teeth are smaller than adult teeth. They are also usually whiter, as they have thinner enamel than adult teeth.
Baby teeth sometimes have smoother, rounded edges. When adult teeth begin to emerge, they have distinctive bumps on the topmost edges, which are thought to help them erupt through the gum. These ridges, or “mamelons,” often get worn down over time.
Baby teeth usually begin to emerge around
When a child reaches 5–6 years old, adult teeth descend closer to the gum surface. The roots of the baby teeth disintegrate, which makes them loosen and fall out.
By the age of 12–14, most people have lost all of their baby teeth and have a set of 28 adult teeth. The last four teeth, wisdom teeth, usually emerge last, between the ages of 17–21.
Learn more about the types of teeth here.
The most common cause of baby teeth in an adult is the lack of a permanent successor for the tooth. If a person does not have an adult tooth ready to erupt and take the baby tooth’s place, they are more likely to retain it into adulthood.
The most common replacement adult teeth missing are the mandibular second premolars, located at the back of the mouth.
The medical term for missing teeth is “tooth agenesis.” It is more common in females than males, and some people may inherit the condition through their genes. Tooth agenesis has
- Hypodontia: Six or fewer teeth fail to develop.
- Oligodontia: More than six teeth fail to develop.
- Anodontia: A whole set of teeth fail to develop.
Another cause of baby teeth in adults is ectopic eruption. This is when a tooth
Baby teeth in adults can also be caused by impaction of the successor tooth. This occurs when a tooth remains embedded in the gum tissue or bone longer than it should and fails to emerge.
If an adult has baby teeth and the successor teeth are missing, they can either retain the baby teeth or extract them.
If a person retains the baby tooth, they may undergo some restorative modification. This can include the addition of a molded cap to the top of the baby tooth. This can give it the appearance of an adult tooth.
If a medical professional removes the baby tooth, the individual may opt for one of the following solutions:
- accepting the presence of a gap where the baby tooth once was
- using orthodontic procedures to close the gap where the baby tooth once was
- using autotransplantation of another tooth into the space where the baby tooth once was
- putting an artificial replacement tooth into the space where the baby tooth once was
If an adult has a baby tooth, they should contact a dentist. A dentist will assess the tooth and decide if treatment is required.
If the tooth and root are structurally and aesthetically sound, the dentist may recommend leaving the baby tooth in place.
To prevent complications, they may also decide to carry out some orthodontic work on the surrounding teeth.
The dentist may also suggest that they remove the baby tooth.
A person can talk with a dentist about retained baby teeth. The dentist may refer them to an orthodontist or prosthodontist, who can give specialist advice and provide them with a personalized treatment plan. Treatment will depend on the cause of the retained teeth.
With the right treatment, an adult with baby teeth can reduce their risk of developing complications.
Baby teeth are the first set of teeth a person grows. Other names for these teeth include deciduous, primary, or temporary teeth.
Baby teeth usually fall out in childhood, but some people retain one or more baby teeth into adulthood.
Baby teeth in adults cause very few issues for some people. However, they may cause aesthetic issues, gaps to form, or difficulties with chewing.
If the baby tooth causes no problems, a person may decide to keep it. However, a dentist may recommend removing a person’s baby teeth.
A dentist can leave a gap where the tooth was, close the gap between the remaining teeth, or place an artificial replacement tooth into the space where the baby tooth was.
