How can your child’s over-retained primary teeth be treated? Depending on the clinical exam and observations derived from the dental X-rays, there are many treatment routes that a pediatric dentist or orthodontist can recommend.
According to a study in the Open Dentistry Journa, if the crown, roots, and supporting alveolar bone of the retained baby tooth is in good condition and isn’t causing any structural or aesthetic problems, then the primary tooth can be retained. In fact, it might serve your child well into adulthood.
If your child’s tooth is ankylosed, depending on the age of the onset of ankylosis, the affected tooth's location, and your child’s smile line, among other factors, the orthodontist might recommend that the tooth be extracted. According to Spear Education, if the tooth is extracted, your child will have to wait until age 17 to have an implant placed, and the dentist will need to provide an interim replacement tooth option.
Waiting for your child’s baby teeth to shed so those permanent teeth can erupt can be stressful! But don’t worry; with the help of your child’s dentist, you can find a treatment plan that will work for your child’s teeth. And after all, whether or not your child has over-retained baby teeth, their smile is always perfect!