Adult Teeth Coming in Behind Baby Teeth

Most children start to lose their baby teeth around the ages of 5 to 7. Usually, when a permanent tooth begins to erupt directly under a baby tooth, it absorbs the baby tooth root. The root dissolves, causing the tooth to become loose and fall out, making room for the new tooth. However, if you notice adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth, there is no need for concern or panic. This is actually quite a common occurrence. It requires little or no treatment and is rarely indicative of ongoing problems.

Shark Teeth: Ectopic eruption that happens when the lower baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet, but the permanent teeth come in any way.

Shark Teeth

On occasion, a permanent tooth will not grow directly under a baby tooth. Therefore, the root remains intact and the tooth will not be pushed out. If this is the case, the permanent tooth may erupt behind the baby tooth, giving your child a “shark-tooth” appearance. Shark tooth is a term we use to describe this exact situation, which gives your child two rows of teeth, much like a shark. Shark teeth can occur both on the bottom and top of the mouth.

Timeframe & Treatment

Shark teeth can happen really at just about any time in your child’s development. However, there are common timeframes in which we see an increase. First, around age 6 when the first lower teeth start to grow in. The second time is around age 11 when the upper and back molars begin to appear.

Usually, with shark teeth, there is no need for treatment, especially if the baby tooth is wiggly. If your child can get the tooth out, allow her to do just that. But, if the tooth is steadfast, it may be best to have it extracted. Once the tooth is out of the way, the tooth should move forward and grow upward.

Orthodontic Consultation

If your child is around 11 and experiencing extreme shark tooth occurrences, it may be easy to understand and diagnose any overcrowding issues. Your dentist might make a recommendation for you to visit the orthodontist for a consultation.

If your child has adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth, contact Tooth Fairy Smiles. Schedule an appointment for an evaluation. Together we will formulate a course of action that best suits your child’s development.