Treatment for Retained Baby Teeth
Do you need to extract your retained baby teeth? Again, that depends! Extraction of a baby tooth in adults totally depends on whether the tooth is causing you any problems. If it’s well-aligned and maintains your mouth’s bone and tissue structure, there is no reason to seek orthodontic treatment or extraction. This is often the case if you have tooth agenesis and your permanent teeth haven’t erupted all.
According to the Open Dentistry Journal, in cases where the permanent tooth is impacted (when the tooth has been blocked from breaking through the gumline), the retained baby tooth should be extracted to allow spontaneous eruption of the permanent successor.
Dental implants appear to be a highly successful long-term treatment for retained deciduous teeth once the tooth or teeth have been extracted. For short or medium-term treatment, resin bonded bridgework is considered a possible option.
Deciding if you should get a tooth extraction can be a big decision. Don't hesitate to talk to your dentist and ask any questions you might have. Your dentist or orthodontist is always the best person to consult about how to treat your retained primary teeth.
You might be surprised to learn that you’ve had a baby tooth sitting in your mouth all along, but if you’re lucky, it can continue to serve you for many more years. And if not, don’t worry! Your dentist can help you decide if the extraction of your baby tooth is right for you.