Baby Teeth as an Adult: Causes, Treatment, and More
Table of Contents
- What are Adult Baby Teeth?
- Causes
- Potential Risks
- Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Children begin life with nearly fully formed baby teeth, 20 of them. Also called primary teeth, these teeth are the first set of teeth to grow.
They aren’t permanent and usually start falling out at 6 or 7 years of age. Their phased shedding continues throughout childhood, making room for permanent teeth to erupt. Most children lose their last baby teeth by the time they turn 13.
But some people keep their healthy baby teeth into adulthood.
What Are Adult Baby Teeth?
An adult baby tooth is a primary tooth that fails to fall out during childhood. Instead, it remains in place during adulthood.
While primary tooth retention is abnormal, it isn’t always a cause for concern.
These teeth can remain healthy years into adulthood, supporting regular oral functions like speaking and chewing.
Causes of Adult Baby Teeth
Studies have linked baby tooth retention to factors such as:
Absence of a permanent replacement
Impacted successor teeth
Movement of successor teeth
Dental diseases
Ankylosis
Potential Risks
An over-retained baby tooth may not cause any functional or cosmetic issues. In these cases, the baby tooth can be kept as long as it remains healthy.
However, baby teeth are still anomalies in adult mouths. They can cause various dental problems if untreated. Watch out for the following issues if you have retained baby teeth:
Infraocclusion. This occurs when the biting surface of the smaller adult baby tooth is unable to make contact with the opposing adult tooth. Ankylosis of the baby teeth can cause this problem.
Gaps between your teeth (diastema). These gaps can affect the appearance of your smile and may cause difficulties with eating and speaking.
Root resorption. The root of a retained baby tooth may eventually be reabsorbed into the jawbone. This results in tooth loss.
Occlusal trauma. A retained primary tooth and its opposing permanent tooth often do not align properly when your jaws close. This mismatch can cause damage to your teeth when you chew.
Treatment Options
Available interventions for retained baby teeth include:
Extraction. Extracting adult baby teeth can eliminate overcrowding and help align teeth. This is only done when the space that the baby tooth will leave behind can be immediately filled by another tooth or a prosthetic.
Prosthetics. Artificial replacements for extracted baby teeth can help improve aesthetics and function. Options include dental implants and bridges.
Speak with your dentist or orthodontist about how each treatment option may impact your dental health and treatment needs in the future. Some options may be better suited to you than others.